Senegal’s president, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, has welcomed a decision by King Mohammed VI to pardon a group of Senegalese football fans jailed after incidents at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final.
In a post on X, Mr Faye said the detained supporters had now been released and would soon return home to their families.
Nos compatriotes retenus au Maroc à la suite des incidents survenus en marge de la Coupe d’Afrique des Nations sont libres. Ils retrouveront bientôt les leurs, par la Grâce Royale que Sa Majesté le Roi Mohammed VI a bien voulu leur accorder à l’occasion de l’Aïd el-Kébir.…
— Bassirou Diomaye Faye (@PR_Diomaye) May 23, 2026
He said the pardon, granted on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, reflected “tolerance and humanity”, and thanked King Mohammed VI for the gesture.
Mr Faye added that the move showed the strength of the long-standing ties between Senegal and Morocco.
He also sent his best wishes to the king and the Moroccan people for the religious holiday.
The fans had been convicted of offences committed during the tournament, which Morocco hosted from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026.
In a statement, the royal cabinet said the move was taken on humanitarian grounds and reflected the close ties between Morocco and Senegal.
The statement reads in full:
“In view of the age-old fraternal relations binding the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Senegal, and on the occasion of the advent of Eid Al Adha, His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, has graciously decided, on humanitarian grounds, to grant His Royal Pardon to Senegalese supporters convicted of offenses committed during the Africa Cup of Nations competitions organized by the Kingdom of Morocco from December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026.
Through this High Decision, His Majesty the King, may God glorify Him, attests to the depth of the strong bonds of friendship, fraternity and cooperation uniting the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Senegal. This Pardon further reflects the enduring cardinal values underpinning the Moroccan identity, foremost among them clemency, benevolence, generosity and the spirit of tolerance.
On the occasion of Eid Al Adha Al Moubarak, His Majesty the King extends His sincere wishes to His Brother, His Excellency President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, as well as to the Senegalese authorities and the brotherly Senegalese people.
May Almighty God preserve His Majesty the King, perpetuate His glory and strengthen His endeavors, and may He grant the Sovereign joy through His Royal Highness Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan, His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid, and all members of the Illustrious Royal Family.”
