Moroccan monarch grants clemency to jailed supporters as continental football dispute heads to CASKing Mohammed VI of Morocco has ordered the release of 15 Senegalese football fans imprisoned since the contentious 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, with the royal pardon timed ahead of Eid al-Adha celebrations scheduled for Wednesday, May 27th.
The 15 supporters are among 18 Senegalese nationals jailed in February following a pitch invasion at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
Sentences had ranged from three months to one year. Three of those originally detained have since served out their terms, making the royal decree applicable to the remaining 15.
The incident stemmed from one of African football’s most dramatic and disputed finals. Senegal briefly walked off the pitch in protest over a late VAR-awarded penalty to Morocco, triggering a 15-minute delay, widespread crowd unrest, and ultimately the pitch invasion that led to the fans’ arrests.
The CAF Appeal Board subsequently ruled the walk-off a regulatory forfeit, stripping Senegal of their 1-0 extra-time victory and awarding Morocco a 3-0 administrative win and the AFCON title. Senegal, refusing to accept the ruling, have taken their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, where the matter is currently being heard.
