Senegal Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko cries foul over fans detention in Morocco after AFCON 2025

Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko has broken his silence on the ongoing legal battle surrounding the 18 Senegalese fans sentenced to prison in Morocco, describing the case as an issue that has gone far beyond the sporting arena.

At the Senegal’s National Assembly, Sonko voiced deep concern over the handling of the situation, hinting at a double standard in responses to incidents at football matches.

Sonko revealed that the Senegalese government had exhausted all diplomatic and institutional avenues to resolve the crisis. He confirmed that direct communication had taken place between President Macky Sall and Moroccan King Mohammed VI, as well as between himself and his Moroccan counterpart. Despite these efforts, the Prime Minister expressed regret that “football passion” had escalated into a legal confrontation.

“We believe that this issue has gone beyond the purely sporting sphere, and we must say so with all responsibility,” Sonko stated. “It is unfortunate, especially since it involves two countries with strong historical ties. Passion and sport often go hand in hand, but this situation could have been handled differently.”

Highlighting perceived inconsistencies in how sports-related incidents are treated, Sonko cited the Olympic Games as a reference point. During a recent match between the Moroccan Atlas Lions and Argentina, Moroccan fans stormed the field, halting play for over two hours. The match eventually resumed behind closed doors, and no judicial penalties were imposed on those involved. “This shows that in sports, incidents can happen, and they can be dealt with appropriately, without resorting to prison corridors,” Sonko remarked.

Addressing the legal options available, the Prime Minister revealed that Senegal’s Minister of Justice is examining all avenues, including filing an appeal against the verdicts.

Sonko has, however, presented two clear options to the Moroccan authorities to resolve the issue.

1. A comprehensive royal pardon for the fans, which Sonko indicated Senegal would welcome.

2. Activation of bilateral agreements allowing Morocco to transfer the prisoners to Senegal so they can serve their sentences in their home country among their families.

“If the Moroccan authorities decide to grant a pardon, we will welcome that,” Sonko said. “Otherwise, there are bilateral agreements between our two countries that allow us to request the return of our citizens so that they can serve their sentences in Senegal.”

The Prime Minister’s intervention underscores the diplomatic and human dimensions of the controversy, with the Senegalese government seeking to protect its citizens while maintaining constructive relations with Morocco. The coming days are expected to be critical in determining whether the issue will be resolved through diplomatic channels or continued legal proceedings.