Joyful Reunion for Senegalese Football Supporters
A group of Senegalese football fans, who were imprisoned following a tumultuous and violence-laden Africa Cup of Nations final in Morocco back in January, returned to their homeland on Sunday after receiving a royal pardon from King Mohammed VI of Morocco. The royal court announced that the pardon was granted "on humanitarian grounds" coinciding with the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, which is a time for compassion and forgiveness.
Upon their arrival at the airport near Dakar just after 1:00 AM, the supporters were welcomed warmly by Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who expressed his elation at their return. Dressed in a tracksuit, Faye conveyed to the media his happiness for the fans being back on Senegalese soil and extended his gratitude to the Moroccan authorities for their decision to grant the pardon. However, in a remark that could be perceived as a slight by Morocco, he referred to the Senegalese national team as "two-time African champions" despite the ongoing dispute regarding the outcome of the January final, which is currently under review by the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland.
Controversy Surrounding the Africa Cup of Nations Final
The Africa Cup of Nations final held on January 18 turned chaotic when Senegal faced Morocco. The match ended with Senegal initially celebrating a win, only for it to be overturned by an appeal that awarded the victory to Morocco. The situation escalated dramatically when, with the score tied at 0-0, a penalty was awarded to Morocco in stoppage time, shortly after Senegal had a goal disallowed. This decision led to chaos in the stadium, with Senegalese fans attempting to storm the pitch and throwing projectiles. The Senegalese team protested by leaving the pitch, which resulted in a nearly 20-minute delay in the game. Upon resumption, they witnessed Morocco miss the penalty and proceeded to score a last-minute goal, sealing the match in their favor.
In February, Moroccan courts imposed prison sentences ranging from three months to one year on 18 Senegalese supporters for their involvement in the unrest. While three fans completed their sentences and were released in mid-April, the remaining 15 fans continued to serve their sentences. The events surrounding the final have caused a strain in the historically friendly relations between Senegal and Morocco. Nevertheless, the Moroccan royal court emphasized the significance of the long-standing fraternal ties between the two nations and noted that the royal pardon was issued in the spirit of Eid al-Adha. Senegal's President Faye celebrated this development via a social media post, expressing his relief that the supporters would soon be reunited with their families.
According to the Moroccan public prosecutor’s office, the charges against the fans were substantiated by video evidence from the stadium and medical reports on injured law enforcement officers. The financial impact of the violence was estimated at over 370,000 euros (approximately $430,000). Additionally, the Confederation of African Football has imposed disciplinary measures on both national federations due to unsporting conduct during the final. After the decision made by the Confederation on March 17 to officially award Morocco the title, Senegal lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport, indicating that the rivalry and disputes between the two nations are far from resolved.
As reported by macaubusiness.com.
