On Saturday, April 17, 2026, Moroccan authorities announced the release of four football fans from Al Arjat 2 prison, marking the conclusion of their three-month sentences. Among those released were three Senegalese nationals and one French supporter, whose arrests stemmed from their involvement in violent incidents that occurred during the Africa Cup of Nations final held in the capital, Rabat. The turmoil unfolded on January 18, 2026, following contentious refereeing decisions, including a penalty awarded to Morocco and a disallowed goal for Senegal, which ignited riots among the fans.
The Senegalese fans faced serious charges, including sports hooliganism, assaulting security personnel, and vandalizing sports facilities. Meanwhile, the French fan was convicted for throwing a water bottle onto the pitch amidst the highly charged atmosphere of the final match. Despite the release of these four individuals, 15 additional Senegalese fans remain incarcerated, serving sentences that range from six months to a year, as their convictions were upheld by an appeals court.
In parallel to these legal proceedings, the Senegalese government has initiated actions to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). This appeal is a protest against the decisions made by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), particularly following the controversial withdrawal of Senegalese players from the field during the final and the subsequent awarding of the 2025 tournament hosting rights to Morocco.
Senegalese Foreign Minister Cheikh Niang emphasized the ongoing discussions with Moroccan officials aimed at resolving the situation for the remaining fans. He expressed optimism that this issue would be resolved soon, stating, "We have begun discussions with the Moroccan side to find the best possible solution for the fans, and this chapter will soon be closed." In the realm of international football, Morocco is set to face El Salvador in a friendly match on June 3 in the USA, ahead of the World Cup.
Additionally, the lawyer representing the Senegalese fans has announced that a request for pardon has been submitted to the King for the remaining detainees, with hopes that three more fans will be released soon. One of the released fans, Baouf, expressed his determination to attend the World Cup, describing it as a significant dream he is willing to work hard to achieve. In other football news, Feyenoord has confirmed the signing of Moroccan U17 international Adnan Boujoufi until mid-2029, while Senegalese player Pape Gueye stated, "We are African Champions and I'm not ready to return my medal." FIFA President Gianni Infantino also discussed the favorites for the upcoming World Cup, recalling Morocco's impressive achievements and hinting at the potential for surprises.
In a related note, the CAS has rejected an urgent procedure regarding the AFCON final case, indicating that a final decision will be made post-World Cup. Historically, Morocco and Norway have faced each other only once in the World Cup, which ended in a 2-2 draw in 1998. Meanwhile, reports from France indicate that Nayef Aguerd's season with Marseille has come to an abrupt end due to a pubic bone fracture.
As reported by m.elbotola.com.
