CASABLANCA, Morocco (AP) – Morocco’s king on Saturday formally pardoned 18 Senegalese soccer fans jailed for hooliganism related to the unrest. african cup of nations final The Royal Cabinet said supporters were seen trying to storm the field.
In February, 18 Senegalese fans were sentenced to up to one year in prison for crimes including damaging sports facilities and committing acts of violence during sporting events. Some have already served their sentences.
“In view of the long-standing friendly relationship between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Senegal, and on the occasion of the (Islamic holiday) Eid al-Adha, King Mohammed VI generously granted, on humanitarian grounds, a royal pardon to Senegalese supporters convicted of crimes committed during the African Cup of Nations competition,” the Royal Cabinet said in a statement.
In the final match of the tournament in January, senegalese fans Senegal’s players were sent off in protest of a second-half penalty awarded to hosts Morocco after a player attempted to storm onto the field.
In the end, Senegal won 1-0 and took the trophy, but an unprecedented series of events meant that the Confederation of African Football Senegal stripped of title He declared Morocco the champion. Senegal later announced that it had appealed the decision.
Senior officials from both countries called for calm amid a surge in violence in the wake of the final and its aftermath, which Moroccan rights groups described as “hate speech targeting sub-Saharan populations.” The leaders of Morocco and Senegal have pledged to maintain friendly relations and signed dozens of agreements aimed at boosting trade and investment.
In Morocco, the king, as head of state, has the power to grant pardons and release prisoners of war. Each year, on several religious and national holidays, it issues royal pardons that release or commute the sentences of journalists, activists, and thousands of other prisoners convicted of various crimes.
“Our compatriots detained in Morocco (…) will soon be reunited with their families, thanks to the royal grace generously granted by His Majesty King Mohammed VI,” Senegalese President Bashir Diomai Fay wrote in X. Senegalese fans were expected to leave Morocco immediately.
The pardon was granted less than 24 hours after Senegal’s president pardoned him. Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko dismissed Months of tension between the two countries led to the resignation and dissolution of all government officials.
Sonko said in a recent speech that there are 55 states in Africa, a comment widely interpreted in Morocco as a reference to the independence of Western Sahara. Morocco claims the territory, but the Algeria-based Polisario Front seeks independence for the region. The conflict remains a central issue in Moroccan foreign policy. Some observers saw Saturday’s pardon as a show of support for President Fay amid his rift with the former prime minister.
“His Majesty the King extends his heartfelt wishes to his brother His Excellency President Basil Diomaie Faye, to the authorities and to the brotherly people of Senegal,” the royal statement added.
Senegalese authorities had requested amnesty, according to a Senegalese official familiar with the matter. One of the lawyers representing Hwang told The Associated Press that he had also separately asked for clemency on Hwang’s behalf. Both men spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly on the matter.
Senegalese officials said both Moroccan and Senegalese human rights commissions helped broker the amnesty.
