Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and his Moroccan counterpart Aziz Akhannouch have jointly appealed for calm following violent scenes that overshadowed Senegal’s victory over Morocco in the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The final, played in a charged atmosphere at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, ended with Senegal lifting the trophy after a dramatic contest, but the celebrations were quickly eclipsed by unrest in and around the ground.
Tensions flared after a penalty was awarded against Senegal, triggering clashes between Senegalese supporters and security forces as some fans attempted to enter the pitch while the players were leaving the field.
Images of the disorder, widely shared across social media and international broadcasters, have drawn strong reactions in both countries.
Among the incidents that fuelled controversy was the so-called Édouard Mendy towel episode, which further inflamed debate and contributed to strained exchanges between Senegalese and Moroccan supporters in the days that followed.
Four days after the final, political leaders sought to defuse the situation. In a statement published on his social media accounts, Mr Sonko confirmed he had held discussions with Morocco’s head of government, underlining the need to prevent a sporting dispute from escalating into a diplomatic or social crisis.
“I had a long conversation with my counterpart, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Morocco, Mr. Aziz Akhannouch. We agreed to continue working, in a spirit of appeasement, serenity and détente, to consolidate the long-standing and very deep ties that unite our two countries ,” Ousmane Sonko wrote.
The Senegalese prime minister, who serves as the country’s second most powerful political figure, also urged football supporters to show restraint.
He called on the public to “take a step back and not overreact to this episode,” warning particularly against the spread of unverified claims and inflammatory narratives.
According to Mr Sonko, the Senegalese government is paying close attention to the fate of supporters arrested in Rabat following the disturbances, as well as to the wider Senegalese community living in Morocco.
“The Government of Senegal informs the public that it is closely monitoring the situation of the supporters arrested in Rabat, as well as that of Senegalese citizens living in Morocco.
The Government of Senegal urges caution regarding the flow of information, particularly on social media and in certain media outlets, which is largely based on disinformation ,” he said.
Seeking to draw a line under the controversy, Mr Sonko stressed that the events surrounding the final should not be allowed to damage relations between the two nations. He added that the incidents must not “go beyond the purely sporting context . ”
As African football authorities continue to review the events of the final, both governments have signalled a shared desire to preserve calm, protect citizens on both sides, and reaffirm the deep historical ties linking Senegal and Morocco beyond the outcome of a single match.
