Nearly four months have passed since the conclusion of the Africa Cup of Nations final – a match initially won by Senegal with a 1-0 extra-time victory, only to be subsequently awarded 3-0 to Morocco by the CAF appeals jury. Yet, the plight of Senegalese football supporters detained in Rabat remains unchanged. While three individuals have been released, the primary instigators, those who invaded the pitch to confront stadium security and police officers, face continued incarceration.
In a televised interview, Senegal’s President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, addressed the predicament of the Lions de la Teranga supporters, who received prison sentences ranging from six months to a year. The head of state asserted, « It would be misguided to believe we haven’t exerted sufficient effort for our supporters held in Morocco. They have my complete backing ».
Senegal’s president appeals to Morocco’s monarch
Senegalese authorities have exhausted various avenues in their quest for the release of the supporters apprehended following the January 18 match in Rabat. President Faye remarked, « While we must respect the judicial processes of other nations, we recognize their convictions as both harsh and unjust. Typically, such incidents conclude with fines; this situation, however, extends beyond the usual sporting context ».
Subsequently, the Senegalese government sought to de-escalate tensions with the Cherifian Kingdom, which remained firm after the broadcast of unusually violent scenes for a major football tournament. Despite the severity, Senegal did not formally appeal the sentences delivered by the Moroccan courts. President Faye elaborated, « I personally requested King Mohamed VI of Morocco to pardon our supporters. We initiated mediation involving all relevant parties, even activating diplomatic channels through religious avenues ». Despite these concerted efforts, the situation remains unresolved.
