Senegal PM to Visit Morocco After Detention of Fans Following AFCON Final

Senegal PM to Visit Morocco After Detention of Fans Following AFCON Final

By Admin 

Senegal’s Prime Minister, Ousmane Sonko, is set to travel to Morocco on Monday amid diplomatic efforts to address the detention of Senegalese football supporters following disturbances at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final, according to DW Africa, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Moroccan authorities are currently holding 18 Senegalese fans on charges related to hooliganism after Senegal’s 1–0 victory over hosts Morocco in the final played in Rabat on January 18. Judicial proceedings in the case have been adjourned until January 29.

Sonko’s visit forms part of previously scheduled bilateral talks between Senegal and Morocco and will also feature a Moroccan–Senegalese economic forum. However, the detention of Senegalese nationals is expected to feature prominently in discussions between officials of both countries.

Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has expressed regret over the incidents that followed the final, while Sonko has called for calm among Senegalese supporters as diplomatic channels are pursued.

The AFCON final itself was overshadowed by disorder following a controversial late penalty decision. Senegal secured the title with a 1–0 extra-time victory after Pape Gueye scored the decisive goal, stunning the home crowd at Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.

The controversy erupted at the end of eight minutes of stoppage time when Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a penalty following a VAR review for a challenge by Senegal defender El Hadji Malick Diouf on Brahim Díaz. The decision sparked intense protests from Senegal’s players and fans, while Morocco’s team and bench demanded further review of the footage.

As Senegal’s players briefly walked off the pitch in protest, some supporters in the designated away section threw chairs and other objects and attempted to enter the field of play. Security personnel intervened, forming a cordon of police and stewards to contain the situation.

Tensions eased moments later when Morocco’s penalty was saved, triggering disbelief and relief among the Senegalese contingent.

Earlier, Senegal had also been angered by the disallowance of a goal during stoppage time. Abdoulaye Seck struck the post from a corner in the second added minute, and Ismaïla Sarr converted the rebound, only for the effort to be ruled out for a foul.

Following the missed penalty, momentum swung decisively in Senegal’s favour. In the fourth minute of extra time, Sadio Mané won possession in midfield and fed Idrissa Gana Gueye, who released Pape Gueye with a well-timed pass.

The Villarreal midfielder held off Moroccan captain Achraf Hakimi before firing a powerful shot past goalkeeper Yassine Bounou into the top corner, sealing victory for the Teranga Lions and silencing the crowd of 66,526.

The aftermath of the final has prompted diplomatic engagement, with both governments seeking to defuse tensions while investigations into the disturbances continue.