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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has conveyed deep gratitude on behalf of all member associations representing 54 African countries for the royal pardon granted by King Mohammed VI to Senegalese fans convicted of hooliganism during the AFCON final in Morocco.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe conveyed the confederation’s deep gratitude to the monarch in a statement on Saturday, stating that the gesture is an “uplifting and motivating illustration of the power of football to unite and bring our people together in Africa and worldwide.”
Motsepe said he was “amazed and impressed” when he was briefed about the historic and extensive relations between Morocco and Senegal.
He also emphasized CAF’s commitment to using football to help unite people from different racial, ethnic, and religious backgrounds.
Motsepe concluded the statement by congratulating all African teams that qualified to take part in the 2026 World Cup, including Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Ghana, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Cape Verde, and Congo.
“We are confident that they will make Africa proud,” he said.
Eighteen Senegalese fans were sentenced to prison terms ranging from three years to one year for their involvement in violent acts and hooliganism during the AFCON final between Senegal and Morocco on January 18.
King Mohammed VI on Saturday announced his royal pardon to the convicted fans, emphasizing that the act was granted on humanitarian grounds.
Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye extended his gratitude to King Mohammed VI, stating that the decision reflects the strong bilateral ties between the two countries.
