Three Senegalese fans return home after detention in Morocco
Three Senegalese football fans detained in Morocco over unrest following the Africa Cup of Nations final have returned to Dakar after serving a three-month prison sentence.
Footage showed the supporters arriving at Blaise Diagne International Airport on Thursday, where they were welcomed by members of the 12th Gainde, the official supporters’ association of Senegal’s national team.
Their return was marked with music, dancing and celebrations.
“It is a great source of pride to be back in our beloved country, Senegal,” said Abdoulaye Dieng, one of the freed supporters. “It was a very long and difficult ordeal. But God gave us the strength to overcome it.”
Dieng returned with Ibrahima Diop and Aziz Wade. Fifteen other Senegalese supporters remain detained in Morocco, while Senegalese authorities continue talks with Rabat to secure their release.
“Our satisfaction is not complete,” Wade said. “We are thinking of the 15 others who are still being held in Morocco.”
He called on Senegalese state and religious authorities to help secure their release.
The supporters were part of a group convicted by the Rabat Court of Appeal over violence linked to the AFCON final between Senegal and hosts Morocco.
Eighteen Senegalese fans were prosecuted on charges including public disorder, throwing projectiles and damaging stadium property. They received prison sentences ranging from three to 12 months, which were upheld on appeal.
The final was overshadowed by unrest after Senegal’s 1-0 extra-time win over Morocco. The Confederation of African Football later ruled that Senegal had forfeited the match and awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory and the title.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
