Senegal president Bassirou Faye thanks Morocco King for royal pardon of jailed fans over AFCON riots

Senegal President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has expressed deep gratitude to King Mohammed VI following the Moroccan monarch’s decision to grant a royal pardon to Senegalese football supporters convicted during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

The continental showpiece held in Morocco ended in a dramatic fashion, where 18 Senegalese fans were sentenced to prisons terms for violence and damage of sporting facilities in the final match between Morocco and Senegal.

Following the intervention of the Morocco, the Senegalese fans have been released. However, President Faye attributed the release to the humanitarian gesture of King Mohammed VI, noting that the pardon was granted on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, a period often associated with forgiveness, reconciliation, and solidarity.

According to Faye, the royal decision reflects “tolerance and humanity,” while also reinforcing the longstanding diplomatic and cultural ties between Senegal and Morocco. He emphasized that the gesture once again highlights the “deep-rooted and enduring bonds of brotherhood” that continue to define relations between the two nations.

The Senegalese leader also took the opportunity to extend Eid al-Adha greetings to King Mohammed VI and the people of Morocco, framing the moment as one of shared celebration and renewed friendship.

A statement from the Moroccan Royal Palace confirmed that the pardon was granted on humanitarian grounds, citing the historical relations between both countries and the spirit of the religious holiday.

The statement noted that the decision covered Senegalese supporters convicted over offences linked to Africa Cup of Nations events hosted in Morocco, underscoring the monarch’s continued use of royal pardons to promote reconciliation and goodwill.

The move has been widely interpreted as another strong diplomatic signal between Rabat and Dakar, reinforcing a partnership often described as one of the most stable and cooperative in African football and political relations.