On Saturday, the Senegalese capital, Dakar, witnessed a protest march in which hundreds of citizens participated to denounce the continued detention of 18 Senegalese fans in Moroccan prisons, in connection with the riots that accompanied the final match of the African Cup of Nations football tournament held in Morocco in mid-January.

According to Agence France-Presse, demonstrators marched for over 1.5 kilometers through the streets of a northern Dakar neighborhood, chanting slogans demanding the "release of the hostages" and carrying banners appealing to Moroccan and Senegalese authorities to intervene and end the crisis. The demonstration took place under heavy security, with a police source confirming that around 250 people participated and that no incidents were reported.

Details and background of court rulings

These protests are a direct response to the sentences handed down by a Rabat court on February 19, which sentenced 18 fans to prison terms ranging from three months to one year. The defendants were convicted on charges related to inciting sports-related violence, including assaulting members of the security forces, participating in a partial pitch invasion, and throwing projectiles that endangered the safety of players and fans during the heated match.

Political and diplomatic dimensions of the crisis

The repercussions of the case extended beyond the realm of sports, taking on a political and diplomatic dimension, with Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko intervening in the crisis. In a speech before the National Assembly last Tuesday, Sonko expressed his regret over the verdicts, noting that the issue had "transcended the sporting sphere." He emphasized the deep historical ties between the two countries, stating, "For two countries that consider themselves friends like Morocco and Senegal, things should not have reached this point," reflecting Senegal's desire to contain the situation and preserve the strong bonds between Dakar and Rabat.

The dramatic match scenario

The roots of these unfortunate events can be traced back to the night of January 18th in Rabat, where the Africa Cup of Nations final was marred by unprecedented tension. Tempers flared in stoppage time of the second half, with the score still 0-0, after the referee disallowed a Senegalese goal and awarded a penalty to hosts Morocco. These decisions led to several Senegalese players leaving the pitch in protest, while groups of fans attempted to invade the field and hurled projectiles at security personnel. Despite the chaos, the match resumed and ended with Senegal winning 1-0 after extra time, claiming the title in a highly charged atmosphere.

General context and challenges of stadium violence

This incident casts a shadow over the issue of stadium violence in Africa, highlighting the challenges faced by host countries of major tournaments in balancing security measures with sportsmanship. Morocco is known for its strict legal approach to dealing with sports-related violence to ensure the safety of facilities and fans, which explains the sentences handed down. Senegal, however, believes it is necessary to consider the context of passionate fan support and the fraternal relations between the two nations.

On Saturday, the Senegalese capital, Dakar, witnessed a massive protest march in which hundreds of citizens participated, condemning the continued detention of 18 Senegalese football fans in Moroccan prisons. This demonstration comes in the wake of events surrounding the Africa Cup of Nations final match, held in mid-January, which ended with Senegal's victory over the host nation, Morocco.

The demonstrators, who marched for over 1.5 kilometers through the streets of a northern Dakar neighborhood, chanted angry slogans demanding the immediate release of the detainees, whom they described as "hostages." The participants, estimated by security sources to number around 250, carried banners with messages addressed to both Moroccan and Senegalese authorities, urging them to intervene and resolve the crisis. The march took place amid a significant security presence and concluded without incident.

Background to the crisis and the events of the thrilling final

The incident dates back to January 18th, when the Rabat stadium hosted the highly charged final match. The game was marked by significant tension after the referee disallowed a Senegalese goal and awarded a penalty to Morocco in stoppage time, when the score was still 0-0. This dramatic turn of events led to a breakdown in discipline, with some Senegalese players leaving the pitch in protest, while groups of Senegalese fans stormed the field and hurled projectiles at security forces. The match eventually ended with Senegal winning 1-0 after extra time.

Judicial rulings and the political dimension

On February 19, a court in Rabat sentenced 18 fans to prison terms ranging from three months to one year after convicting them of charges related to rioting, assaulting security personnel, and vandalizing sports facilities. These sentences sparked outrage among the Senegalese public and prompted political intervention.

In a related development, Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko expressed his deep regret over these events. In a speech before the National Assembly last Tuesday, he said, "This issue seems to have transcended the realm of sports, and this is extremely regrettable. For two countries with such strong historical ties and friendship as Morocco and Senegal, things should never have reached this point." Observers note that this incident represents a test for the close diplomatic relations between the two countries, amid hopes for a diplomatic solution that safeguards the rights of all parties and ends the public tension.

Recent Turkish media reports have revealed the hidden reasons behind the swift and unexpected end to Colombian striker John Duran's time with Turkish club Fenerbahçe. The young player, who previously played for Saudi club Al-Nassr, left the Turkish team for the Russian Premier League, joining Zenit Saint Petersburg, a move that has raised many questions about his motives, especially since it came so soon after he joined the club.

According to reliable Turkish sports journalist Levent Ümit Erol, Duran's departure wasn't due to purely technical reasons, but rather stemmed from a severe disciplinary crisis within the club. The 22-year-old Duran was involved in a violent altercation with his teammate, Brazilian defender Becao Rodrigo. Sources confirmed that the matter escalated beyond verbal exchanges to a physical fight involving slaps and kicks in full view of everyone during training. Fenerbahçe's management considered this a serious breach of conduct, warranting immediate contract termination to maintain stability in the dressing room.

This incident adds another chapter of instability to the career of the Colombian talent, who has moved between several major clubs in record time. Duran first attracted attention in the English Premier League with Aston Villa during the 2024-2025 season, where he demonstrated considerable attacking prowess, scoring six goals despite limited playing time. This prompted the English club to extend his contract until 2030. However, the player's career path took another turn when he moved to Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia in the winter of 2025 to play alongside the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo, before being loaned to Fenerbahçe the following summer.

Despite his short stint in Turkey, Duran left a respectable statistical mark, making 21 appearances for Fenerbahçe, scoring 5 goals and providing 3 assists. However, the player's well-known temperament and behavior, as highlighted in the report, overshadowed his performance, hastening his departure to his sixth club, Zenit St. Petersburg. Meanwhile, the incident also had repercussions for the other party involved in the altercation, as defender Becao Rodrigo moved on loan to Turkish club Kasımpaşa until the end of the season.

John Duran now faces a real challenge in his new experience in the Russian league, as he strives to regain his mental and technical balance to secure a place in his national team's starting lineup. The player hopes to convince coach Nestor Lorenzo of his abilities and commitment, thereby boosting his chances of being included in Colombia's final squad for the 2026 World Cup, the ultimate dream for any footballer, which demands consistency and regular playing time – something Duran hasn't yet found in his recent experiences.