Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has officially pardoned 18 Senegalese football fans who were jailed following violent incidents during the AFCON 2025 final in Rabat, according to a royal statement released ahead of Eid al-Adha.
The decision was described as a humanitarian gesture aimed at strengthening the long-standing relationship between Morocco and Senegal after tensions erupted during and after the highly charged Africa Cup of Nations final.
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The royal statement reportedly emphasized “the age-old fraternal ties” between both nations and linked the pardon to the spiritual and reconciliatory atmosphere surrounding Eid al-Adha.
Several Senegalese supporters had been arrested after clashes and crowd disturbances broke out around the final match venue in Rabat. Security officials intervened following chaotic scenes involving fans, stewards and security personnel inside and outside the stadium.
The pardon is already generating major reactions across African social media, with many praising the Moroccan monarch for using diplomacy and compassion to calm tensions after one of the most dramatic AFCON finals in recent years.
Why This Story Matters
The move goes beyond football. It highlights how sports diplomacy continues to shape African relations and demonstrates how governments sometimes use symbolic gestures during major religious periods to restore unity and regional goodwill.
Morocco has increasingly positioned itself as a major force in African football and diplomacy, especially after hosting high-profile continental tournaments and strengthening bilateral ties with several West African nations including Senegal.
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