Senegalese club AJEL Rufisque demands freedom for jailed fans in Morocco after AFCON 2025 final incident

Senegalese league leaders AJEL Rufisque made a strong statement of solidarity during the opening fixture of Matchday 16 in the Senegalese Ligue 1, publicly calling for the release of Senegalese supporters currently imprisoned in Morocco.

The Rufisque-based club used the spotlight of their league encounter to draw attention to the plight of fans who were arrested following incidents that occurred during the final of the Africa Cup of Nations on 18 January 2026.

The supporters were subsequently tried at the Rabat Court of First Instance and handed prison sentences ranging from three months to one year. The rulings have sparked widespread debate back home in Senegal, with many arguing that the punishments are excessively harsh.

AJEL Rufisque, who currently sit at the summit of the Senegalese top flight, have now added their voice to the growing calls for clemency. The club insists that while football-related incidents must be addressed, imprisonment is not the appropriate response for supporters whose passion for the game led them to travel and back their national team.

“Free our supporters. Football should unite, not divide. Our supporters belong in the stands, not in prison.” wrote the club.

The statement underscores AJEL’s belief that football is a platform for unity and celebration, not division and punishment. By speaking out, the league leaders have positioned themselves not only as contenders on the pitch but also as advocates for their compatriots off it.

As discussions continue around the sentences handed down in Rabat, AJEL Rufisque’s gesture has resonated strongly with fans across Senegal, reinforcing the powerful bond between clubs and the supporters who stand behind them.