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AFCON 2025 Final: Three Senegalese supporters released from Moroccan prison
Three Senegalese supporters were released from a Moroccan prison on Saturday after serving a three-month sentence for their involvement in the violence that broke out during the AFCON final in Rabat, AFP reported.
The men left Al Arjat 2 prison, northeast of Rabat, in a gendarmerie vehicle en route to a police station near Salé, where they were formally freed. Upon exiting the station, the three smiling supporters were welcomed by members of the Senegalese embassy. One of them told AFP: “Dima Maroc, dima Maghrib” (“Long live Morocco” in Moroccan dialect).
In the same case, 15 other Senegalese fans are serving sentences ranging from six months to one year, which were upheld on appeal earlier this week. Detained since the final on January 18, they were prosecuted for “hooliganism,” covering acts of violence—including attacks on law enforcement—property damage to sports equipment, pitch invasion, and throwing projectiles. A French national of Algerian origin was also released Saturday after serving three months for throwing a water bottle during the match.
The final in Rabat turned chaotic after the referee awarded Morocco a penalty in the closing moments, shortly after disallowing a Senegalese goal. Outraged, several Senegalese players briefly left the field, and some fans attempted to invade the pitch, throwing objects. The players later returned, and Moroccan striker Brahim Diaz missed the decisive penalty. Senegal ultimately won 1-0 in extra time thanks to a goal by Pape Gueye.
Following the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) March 17 decision to award the 2025 AFCON title to Morocco by forfeit, Senegal has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
