Senegal fan group warns of “Dangerous Precedent” after AFCON final arrests

The continued detention of Senegalese supporters following the Africa Cup of Nations final between Senegal national football team and Morocco national football team has prompted an official response from a leading fan group in Dakar, warning of what it calls a “dangerous precedent”.

In a statement issued on 22 February 2026 in the Senegalese capital, the Ultra 221 Collective expressed its “deep indignation” over the treatment of compatriots arrested around the final in Morocco.

The declaration, relayed by Wiw Sport, comes amid growing concern about the fate of those still in custody.

While condemning “in the strongest possible terms all forms of violence,” the collective questioned the proportionality of the judicial measures taken.

According to the group, the prison sentences imposed are “disproportionate” to the alleged offences. The statement argues that the response risks sending the wrong message about how football supporters are viewed and treated.

Central to their position is the role fans play within the sport. The collective described supporters as the “beating heart of football” and insisted they should not be treated as “criminals” or “enemies.”

It said the severity of the measures was particularly troubling given the broader context, referring to relations between “two peoples who call themselves brothers.”

The group maintains that the continued detention of the supporters contradicts the spirit of unity and fraternity often associated with African football competitions.

It argues that such actions risk undermining the values the tournament is meant to promote beyond the pitch.

Beyond expressing solidarity, the Ultra 221 Collective called for diplomatic engagement. Its statement directly appealed to Senegalese political and sporting authorities to intervene and ensure the protection of their citizens.

The matter, it said, extends beyond the individuals concerned and touches on the broader treatment of travelling supporters across the continent.

Warning of a “dangerous precedent,” the collective suggested that failure to act could lead to stadiums becoming arenas of “excessive repression” rather than celebration.

By urging urgent mediation, the group hopes to prevent similar incidents from shaping the future of supporter travel at major African tournaments.