Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe has praised King Mohammed VI for granting a royal pardon to Senegalese football supporters arrested after the controversial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final in Morocco.
In a statement released on Saturday, Motsepe described the decision as a strong example of how football can bring people together despite tensions and differences.
He thanked the Moroccan King on behalf of CAF’s 54 member associations for showing compassion and promoting unity across the continent.
The Senegalese fans were arrested following disturbances that occurred during and after the AFCON final between Senegal and Morocco in Rabat.
The match ended in controversy after Senegalese players briefly walked off the pitch in protest over a late penalty decision awarded to Morocco.
The incident caused confusion in the stadium and led to clashes involving some supporters.
Several fans were later convicted for offences including hooliganism, throwing objects onto the pitch, damaging stadium property and confronting security officers.
Reports indicate that some of the supporters received prison sentences ranging from a few months to one year.
The royal pardon was announced ahead of the Eid al-Adha celebrations and was described by Moroccan authorities as a humanitarian gesture aimed at strengthening the long-standing friendship between Morocco and Senegal.
Read Also: Motsepe heads to Dakar amid Senegal title dispute
Motsepe said CAF remains committed to using football as a tool for peace, unity and brotherhood among Africans regardless of race, religion or nationality.
He added that his recent visits to both countries showed the strong relationship shared by the two nations.
The AFCON final remains one of the most controversial in recent history. Although Senegal initially won the match, CAF later overturned the result and awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory after ruling that Senegal’s temporary walk-off breached competition regulations.
Senegal has since appealed the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
