Tottenham midfielder Pape Matar Sarr has publicly demanded the release of 18 Senegal supporters who have been detained in Morocco since last month’s Africa Cup of Nations final, escalating attention around the fallout from one of the tournament’s most controversial matches.
The 22-year-old Senegal international issued the appeal on X on Tuesday, marking 31 days since the final, and described the continued detention of the fans as an injustice. His intervention comes two days before the group is scheduled to appear in court again on Thursday.
Sarr, who missed the final through illness, said the supporters were being held despite what he described as their only offense being passionate support for their national team. He voiced full backing for the detained compatriots and urged authorities to release them.
The detentions stem from chaotic scenes during the Africa Cup of Nations final between Senegal and Morocco, which was halted for 17 minutes following a controversial penalty awarded to the host nation. The decision sparked clashes between Senegal supporters and riot police inside the stadium.
Morocco ultimately missed the penalty, and Senegal secured a 1-0 victory to claim the continental title for only the second time in their history. The match, however, quickly became overshadowed by post-match disciplinary proceedings and sanctions imposed by the Confederation of African Football.
Tensions escalated during extra time when Morocco were awarded a penalty after the referee had earlier declined to award one to Senegal. The reversal intensified frustrations on the Senegal bench and in the stands.
Security forces intervened as disorder broke out among sections of the crowd. Eighteen Senegal supporters were subsequently detained, and they have remained in custody for over a month pending further legal proceedings in Morocco.
The case has drawn scrutiny within Senegal, particularly as the supporters’ court appearance approaches.
Following the final, CAF imposed heavy financial penalties on both football associations involved. In total, Morocco and Senegal were fined a combined £914,000 over incidents linked to the match.
Senegal’s Football Association was fined £445,000 for the conduct of its team and for the behaviour of some supporters after violence erupted with stadium security.
Head coach Pape Thiaw received a five-match suspension and a £72,000 fine for unsporting conduct after instructing his players to leave the pitch in protest following the disputed extra-time penalty decision.
The turning point came when the referee awarded Morocco a late penalty after previously denying Senegal a spot kick minutes earlier. The reversal triggered visible anger from Senegal’s bench and sections of the crowd.
The game was suspended for 17 minutes as tensions spilled over. Riot police moved in to restore order, leading to confrontations that resulted in arrests.
Despite the disruption, play resumed and Senegal held on to secure victory, sealing a historic triumph that has since been clouded by legal and disciplinary consequences.
In the weeks following the final, attention shifted from the on-field controversy to the broader fallout. CAF’s disciplinary rulings were among the heaviest imposed in recent AFCON history, reflecting the seriousness of the disturbances.
Public discourse in Senegal has increasingly focused on the fate of the detained supporters. Sarr’s intervention now adds the voice of a high-profile European-based international to growing calls for clarity and resolution.
With the 18 supporters due back in court on Thursday, pressure is mounting ahead of the next legal hearing. Sarr’s statement, issued just days before proceedings resume, is likely to intensify scrutiny of the case both domestically and across the African football community.
The coming days could prove decisive for the detained fans and for relations between football authorities and supporters in the aftermath of the final. While Senegal’s AFCON triumph marked a historic sporting achievement, the unresolved legal case continues to cast a shadow over the celebrations and underscores the lasting consequences of disorder at major international tournaments.
