The Moroccan embassy in Senegal called on nationals to remain vigilant and refrain from any actions likely to harm relations between the two countries. It reassured that despite some social media reactions to the sentencing of 18 Senegalese fans, the situation does not raise particular concerns for Moroccan nationals. DR ‹ › The Moroccan embassy in Senegal has called for «vigilance, respect for local laws, and refraining from any actions likely to harm the excellent relations between the two countries», in a message sent to Moroccan nationals residing in Senegal. The communication was shared via an application through which the embassy «maintains regular and informal contact with Moroccan nationals», describing it as its usual «informal channel», the embassy told Yabiladi on Monday, stressing that no official public communiqué had been issued. Unlike previous media reports, the embassy's message came before the ruling against 18 Senegalese for acts of hooliganism during the AFCON final was pronounced. The fans, detained since the final, were handed sentences ranging from three months to one year. No particular concerns for Moroccan nationals The embassy further reassured that «while certain reactions and positions can be observed on social media, reflecting a degree of polarization in online debate, they have not, at least for now, translated into developments on the ground and do not raise particular concerns for the Moroccan community». It also emphasized that relations between Morocco and Senegal are rooted in a long-standing, fraternal history anchored in exceptional human, spiritual, and cultural ties. «This proven closeness, built over decades of trust and solidarity, constitutes a solid foundation that transcends circumstances and cannot be called into question. Furthermore, thousands of Moroccan families live in Senegal in harmony and peace as well as there are tens of thousands Senegalese families in Morocco», the embassy concluded to Yabiladi. Following the ruling against the 18 Senegalese fans, several voices on social media denounced the verdict as «unfair». The criticism was also echoed by the Senegalese Football Federation, through its communications chief Bacary Cissé, who described the ruling as «incomprehensibly severe» and «disproportionate». The 18 fans were convicted of hooliganism, including violence against law enforcement, damage to sports facilities, pitch invasion, and throwing projectiles. Nine were sentenced to one year in prison and fined 5,000 dirhams, six received six-month terms with fines of 2,000 dirhams, and three were given three months and fined 1,000 dirhams. The incidents surrounding the AFCON final had already fueled heated exchanges and hateful rhetoric on social media between Moroccan and Senegalese supporters. In Dakar, this tension translated into real-life violence during the final, when a Moroccan restaurant was attacked, resulting in material damage only.
