Three Senegalese supporters have been released from a Moroccan prison after serving three-month sentences for their involvement in the violence that marred the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final in Rabat.

An AFP journalist reported that the trio were freed on Saturday from Al Arjat 2 prison, located northeast of Rabat. They were transported in a gendarmerie vehicle to a police station near Salé, where formalities for their release were completed.

The supporters were later received by officials of the Senegalese embassy, with one of them expressing gratitude in Moroccan dialect, saying, “Dima Maroc, dima Maghrib” (long live Morocco), as they emerged smiling from custody.

However, the case is far from over for other fans involved in the incident. Fifteen additional Senegalese supporters remain in detention, serving sentences ranging from six months to one year. Their convictions were upheld on appeal earlier this week.

The group had been prosecuted on charges of hooliganism, including acts of violence—particularly against law enforcement—damage to stadium property, pitch invasion, and throwing of projectiles during the ill-tempered final held on January 18.

A French national of Algerian origin, also implicated in the disturbances for throwing a water bottle, was similarly released after completing a three-month sentence.

The chaos stemmed from a controversial climax to the AFCON final between Senegal and Morocco in Rabat. The referee awarded a late penalty to Morocco shortly after disallowing a Senegalese goal, triggering protests from Senegal’s players and outrage among their supporters.

The situation escalated when some Senegalese fans attempted to invade the pitch and hurled objects, forcing a temporary halt to proceedings. Order was eventually restored, and the match resumed, with Morocco’s Brahim Diaz missing the decisive penalty.

Senegal went on to secure a 1-0 victory in extra time through Pape Gueye, seemingly clinching the continental title on the pitch.

However, the controversy extended beyond the final whistle. On March 17, the Confederation of African Football awarded the 2025 AFCON title to Morocco by forfeit, citing the disturbances and subsequent disciplinary considerations.

Senegal has since challenged the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, setting the stage for a prolonged legal battle over the tournament’s outcome.

The release of the three supporters marks a significant development in the aftermath of one of the most contentious finals in recent African football history, even as tensions over the disputed title continue to reverberate across the continent.

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Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe would welcome an investigation into corruption at the organisation, saying they have nothing to hide following a meeting with Senegalese officials in ​Dakar on Wednesday.

Senegal’s government last month demanded an investigation into corruption after the ‌country was stripped of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title by the CAF Appeal Board, and the trophy was awarded to the final opponents, Morocco.

It follows unruly scenes in the January 18 decider in Rabat that ​Senegal won 1-0, but during which they left the field for several minutes in ​protest at a late refereeing decision.

Motsepe met with officials from the Senegalese Football ⁠Federation and Senegal president Bassirou Diomaye Faye on Wednesday, where he urged unity following ​the fallout from the final. He will be in Morocco on Thursday for a similar set ​of meetings.

“I would welcome any investigation into corruption at CAF, be it by a government or any institution,” Motsepe told reporters. “In fact, I would encourage it. We will give them our full cooperation.

“I have been told ​there were problems in the past and we intervened. It is not just in football, ​but in business and politics too. We cannot give our children the perception that if you want to ‌succeed ⁠in life, be corrupt. There has to be zero tolerance (for corruption).

“That’s the best gift we can give football in Africa. Not just talking about corruption, but intervene, put the necessary laws in place) and implement them.”

Motsepe would not be drawn on the matter between Senegal and Morocco, which ​is now before the Court of ⁠Arbitration for Sport.

“There is nothing I can tell you that I haven’t said already 10, 15, 20 times. You can ask me the ​same question 100 times, I’ll give you the same answer 100 times. ​I have ⁠an obligation to respect that the matter is now in front of the highest (sports) court in the world.”

Motsepe quashed any suggestion that Morocco had been treated favourably in the appeal process.

“Under no circumstances ⁠will ​any single country in Africa be treated more preferentially ​or more favourably than any other. That will never happen,” he said.

“We are confident we will come out of these ​challenges more united amongst the 54 nations in Africa.”

-Reuters

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By Kunle Solaja.

Patrice Motsepe has intensified his diplomatic shuttle across African football corridors with a crucial visit to Morocco scheduled for Thursday, as the fallout from the controversial AFCON 2025 Final continues to reverberate across the continent.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed that Motsepe will meet with Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF), alongside other key stakeholders within Morocco’s football ecosystem.

Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF)

The high-level engagement in Rabat comes barely 24 hours after Motsepe’s crisis-management visit to Senegal, underlining CAF’s urgency in addressing the tensions and conflicting reports that have trailed the AFCON final.

Thursday’s meeting is expected to focus on fact-finding, reconciliation, and institutional alignment following the chaotic circumstances that marred the tournament’s climax. The Moroccan FA has been central to the unfolding controversy, with administrative and refereeing decisions from the final still under scrutiny.

CAF disclosed that the visit will conclude with a press conference in Rabat at 17:00 local time (16:00 GMT), where Motsepe is expected to address the media and possibly provide updates on CAF’s ongoing review of the final.

While details of the agenda remain closely guarded, the visit signals a continuation of Motsepe’s hands-on approach to crisis resolution, engaging directly with national federations in a bid to preserve the integrity of African football competitions.

CAF and the FRMF have indicated that further details regarding the outcomes of the visit will be communicated in due course, as stakeholders across the continent await clarity on one of the most contentious finals in recent AFCON history.

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