Senegalese football supporters returned to Dakar on May 24, 2026 [1], after Morocco's king granted them a royal pardon.
The release ends a months-long diplomatic and legal ordeal for the fans, whose detention followed violent clashes during one of the continent's most prestigious sporting events.
The supporters were originally detained in Morocco following the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 final in January 2026 [2]. The match was marred by chaos and hooliganism, leading to the arrests of several fans. Moroccan courts subsequently sentenced the supporters in February 2026 [2].
King Mohammed VI issued a humanitarian royal pardon to the detainees, allowing them to leave the country. The group arrived back in Senegal via the Blaise Diagne International Airport in Dakar [1].
The pardon resolves a tense situation involving the supporters who had been imprisoned for several months. The move by the Moroccan monarchy serves as a gesture of goodwill following the legal proceedings that began after the tournament's conclusion.
“Senegalese football supporters returned to Dakar on May 24, 2026”
The royal pardon reflects the intersection of sports-related volatility and diplomatic relations between Senegal and Morocco. By utilizing a humanitarian pardon rather than a legal acquittal, the Moroccan monarchy maintained the validity of the court's original sentencing for hooliganism while effectively resolving a potential diplomatic friction point.
