Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has granted a royal pardon to 18 Senegalese football fans who were jailed for hooliganism during a chaotic Africa Cup of Nations final.
The fans were sentenced in February to prison terms of up to a year on charges including damaging sporting facilities and committing violence during a sporting event. Some had already completed their sentences.
The Royal Cabinet cited “humanitarian reasons” and “the long-standing fraternal ties between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Senegal” for the pardon, issued on the Muslim holiday Eid al-Adha.
“Given the long-standing fraternal ties between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Senegal, and on the occasion of (Muslim holiday) Eid al-Adha, King Mohammed VI has graciously granted, for humanitarian reasons, his royal pardon to Senegalese supporters convicted of offenses committed during Africa Cup of Nations competitions,” the Royal Cabinet said in a statement Saturday.
The controversy stemmed from January’s final game, where Senegalese fans attempted to storm the field and players protested a late penalty awarded to host Morocco.
Senegal ultimately won the game 1-0 and lifted the trophy.
However, in an unprecedented move, the Confederation of African Football stripped Senegal of the title, declaring Morocco champion. Senegal later appealed this decision.
The contentious final and its aftermath prompted senior officials in both countries to call for calm amid a surge in what Moroccan rights groups described as “hate speech targeting sub-Saharan residents.” Leaders from Morocco and Senegal subsequently pledged friendly ties and signed agreements to boost trade and investment.