Senegal’s Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, has sharply criticized Morocco following the sentencing of 18 Senegalese football supporters convicted for violence and property damage after crowd disturbances during the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final in January.
A Moroccan court found the supporters guilty of causing mayhem during the tense match between Senegal and Morocco. The court handed down sentences ranging from three months to one year, along with fines of up to $545.
Sonko’s Diplomatic Criticism
Addressing parliament, Sonko expressed frustration that the issue had escalated beyond sports, stating, “It seems this matter goes beyond the realm of sport, and that is regrettable.” He added, “For two countries that call each other friends, like Morocco and Senegal, things should not have gone this far.”
Sonko argued that Morocco’s handling of the case did not honor the longstanding ties between the two nations. He revealed that Senegal had taken all necessary diplomatic steps to secure the supporters’ release.
Request for Royal Pardon
Sonko voiced hope that Moroccan authorities, specifically King Mohammed VI, might grant a royal pardon to the convicted supporters. “If they do not, we have agreements that bind us and allow us to request that the supporters serve their sentences in their own country,” Sonko explained, referring to the bilateral cooperation agreements between Senegal and Morocco.
The Unrest and Fallout
The unrest occurred during the AFCON final after a controversial penalty decision sparked clashes between Senegalese supporters and Moroccan security forces. At one point, some players briefly walked off the pitch amid the chaos, but they returned to complete the match.
Senegal went on to win 1-0 in extra time, but the fallout from the incident continues to affect diplomatic relations between the two countries.
As Morocco prepares to handle the situation, all eyes are on the potential diplomatic and legal outcomes. The future of Senegal’s supporters now rests on the decision of Moroccan authorities regarding a possible royal pardon or sentence transfer.
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