Tottenham Hotspur and Senegal midfielder Pape Matar Sarr has publicly demanded the immediate release of 18 Senegalese supporters who have been held in custody in Morocco since the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 final on January 18, 2026. The call comes exactly one month after Senegal's dramatic 1-0 extra-time victory over the host nation, a win that secured the Lions of Teranga their second continental title but was marred by post-match chaos, arrests, and ongoing diplomatic tensions.
Sarr, who missed the final due to illness, took to social media platform X on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, to express solidarity with his detained compatriots. In a post written in French, he described their continued detention as a profound injustice.
"30 days of detention for supporters whose only fault was passionately supporting their team. We strongly denounce this injustice and demand their release. Full support to our compatriots," Sarr wrote, according to translations from multiple reports including Daily Mail, Al Jazeera, and Africa Top Sports.
The 18 fans were arrested in the aftermath of the heated final in Rabat's Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, where Senegal lifted the trophy following a controversial refereeing decision that prompted Senegal manager Pape Thiaw to briefly remove his players from the pitch in stoppage time. Moroccan authorities charged the group with acts of hooliganism and violence inside the stadium, leading to pre-trial detention. Reports indicate some supporters attempted to enter the field amid the disorder.
By early February 2026, the detainees began a hunger strike to protest their prolonged custody and lack of formal charges or trial progress, according to lawyer Patrick Kabou, who represents some of the group. The Senegal Football Federation (FSF) has confirmed it is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with Moroccan authorities to seek a positive resolution, urging calm and trust in diplomatic channels.
Sarr's intervention follows similar public support from other Senegal players, including defender Moussa Niakhaté, who shared the FSF's update on Instagram and echoed calls for the fans' freedom. The Senegalese football community has rallied behind the detained supporters, framing their case as excessive punishment for passionate fandom rather than serious criminality.
The incident has strained relations between Senegal and Morocco, two North African football powerhouses with a history of competitive rivalry. Morocco, as hosts, faced criticism over crowd management and security during the tournament, while Senegal's triumph was celebrated as a historic achievement under new manager Pape Thiaw.
Sarr, 23, has been a key figure for both club and country. At Tottenham, he has established himself as a dynamic central midfielder since joining from Metz in 2021. For Senegal, he was part of the squad that lifted the AFCON trophy last month, even though illness prevented his participation in the final.
His outspoken plea has amplified international attention on the case, with reports from outlets like Daily Mail, Yahoo Sports, and Africa Top Sports highlighting the growing calls for justice. No official response from Moroccan authorities or FIFA has been reported as of Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
The detention underscores broader challenges in managing fan behavior at major tournaments, where passionate support can sometimes spill into disorder. Supporters' groups in Senegal and the diaspora continue to demand swift action, emphasizing that the fans' only "crime" was celebrating their team's historic win.
As diplomatic efforts continue behind the scenes, Sarr's public stance has added pressure on both governments to resolve the matter amicably, ensuring the joy of Senegal's AFCON triumph is not overshadowed by prolonged injustice against ordinary supporters.
