After the Final: Senegalese Fans Detained in Morocco Spark Diplomatic Tensions

Update on detained Senegalese fans

The Senegalese Football Association confirmed support for 18 fans detained in Morocco after the final.

Thirty days after the AFCON final, the Senegalese Football Association reiterated its support for 18 fans still detained in Morocco.

The Senegalese team clinched the AFCON title for the second time, in January, after beating hosts Morocco 1-0 in a dramatic final.

Riots by Senegalese fans were reported at the match, and 18 were arrested.

The federation stated in a Tuesday release that the detained fans' situation is being monitored closely.

The state is fully mobilized to engage Moroccan authorities, ensure proper detention conditions, and respect detainees' rights.

Meanwhile, Moussa Niakhati, a defender from Olympique Lyon, posted on Instagram a message from the federation urging freedom for our supporters.

Similarly, Pape Sarr wrote on X that thirty days of detention for fans whose only sin was backing their team with passion is unjust, and that their release is demanded. Full support for our fellow nationals.

Punchline 1: If football is a language, fans are the punctuation - without them, the sentence never ends well.

Punchline 2: In soccer, timing is everything - so maybe next time the final ends with a whistle, not with a complaint to the authorities.