Nearly four months after the final of the African Cup of Nations – won by Senegal after extra time (1-0), then awarded to Morocco on the green carpet (3-0) by the CAF appeal jury -, the situation of supporters imprisoned in Rabat remains frozen. Although three people have been released, the main troublemakers, who jumped onto the field to confront the stewards and then the police, risk remaining behind bars for some time.
During an interview with TV, the President of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, was questioned about the situation of fans of the Lions of Teranga, who received sentences ranging from six months to a year in prison. “It would be a mistake to think that we have not done enough for our supporters detained in Morocco. They have my full support”thus affirmed the head of state, as reported Afrik-Foot.
The president of Senegal wrote to the king of Morocco
The Senegalese authorities have tried everything to free the supporters arrested following the meeting on January 18 in Rabat. “We must respect the justice of others. But we know that their sentence is harsh and unjust. Usually, these cases end with fines… There, it goes beyond the sporting framework”recalls Bassirou Diomaye Faye.
The Senegalese government then tried to ease tensions with the Shereef Empire, remaining uncompromising after these images of rare violence for a major football competition. Senegal did not appeal the sentences handed down by the Senegalese courts. “I asked the king of Morocco to pardon our supporters. We initiated mediation with all the stakeholders… We even activated the religious component”clarified the President of Senegal, who wrote to Mohamed VI. The situation remains blocked.
