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Tension Rises As Senegal PM Condemns Morocco Over Imprisoned AFCON Fans
Senegal’s Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, has expressed strong disapproval of a Moroccan court’s decision to imprison 18 Senegalese football fans following disturbances at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final in Rabat.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The supporters were arrested after Senegal defeated hosts Morocco 1-0 in a tense January 18 final. Moroccan authorities accused some fans of attacking security personnel, damaging property, attempting to invade the pitch, and throwing objects during the match.
On Thursday, the court sentenced the 18 fans to prison terms ranging from three months to one year, alongside fines of up to $545.
Speaking in parliament on Tuesday, Sonko lamented the handling of the situation, saying, “It seems this matter goes beyond the realm of sport, and that is regrettable. For two countries that call each other friends, like Morocco and Senegal, things should not have gone this far.”
He added that Morocco’s actions “do not honour” the long-standing ties between the two nations and affirmed that Senegal had pursued all appropriate diplomatic channels to seek leniency for its citizens.
Sonko also indicated that if dialogue fails, Senegal might invoke a bilateral agreement permitting the mutual transfer of convicted persons.
