Rabat – The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has extended its thanks to King Mohammed VI for his royal pardon to convicted Senegalese fans who were detained for violent acts and hooliganism during the AFCON final in Morocco.
FSF said the positive outcomes were made possible by the royal pardon granted by King Mohammed VI “in a spirit of fraternity, solidarity, and the excellence of relations between the Senegalese and Moroccan people.”
The federation also extended its thanks to the highest Senegalese and Moroccan authorities, as well as other stakeholders who were involved directly or indirectly in achieving the release and enabling the return of the Senegalese fans.
A Moroccan court sentenced 18 Senegalese fans to between one and three years in prison earlier this year.
On Saturday, the King, in a humanitarian gesture, announced the release of the convicted fans.
The Senegalese fans arrived on Saturday on flight AT501 at 1 a.m. local time.
“The FSF calls on supporters, families, and all lovers of Senegalese football to give a warm welcome to our compatriots upon their arrival,” FSF concluded.
Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye extended thanks to King Mohammed VI following the royal pardon, cementing the strong bilateral ties between the two countries.
The President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Patrice Motsepe, also extended thanks to Morocco for the royal pardon.
“The pardon by His Majesty King Mohammed VI is an uplifting and motivating illustration of the power of football to unite and bring our people together in Africa and worldwide,” Motsepe said.
