The captain of the Senegal national football team, Kalidou Koulibaly, has broken his silence regarding the 18 Senegalese supporters currently detained in Morocco.
The defender expressed his concern and called for a swift resolution to the situation, emphasizing the importance of solidarity towards these supporters, whose detention has stirred strong emotions within the Senegalese sports community.
In an audio message broadcast to them, Kalidou Koulibaly reaffirmed the team’s full support for the 18 Senegalese supporters currently detained in Morocco. The defender stressed the solidarity that unites the players, coaching staff, and supporters during this particularly difficult time for the affected families.
In his address, Koulibaly sought to reassure the families of the detainees and the public. He explained that the silence observed until now did not reflect a lack of interest or indifference from the Senegalese internationals. According to him, it was a deliberate and thoughtful choice to prioritize diplomatic channels and allow the Senegalese authorities to handle the official procedures related to the situation.
“My dear supporter brothers, Gaindés! From the very first day of this matter, we, the national team players and the coach, have been deeply affected, both humanly and brotherly. We have been sensitive to your situation from the very first hours. If we have remained silent publicly, it is neither out of distance nor indifference, quite the opposite. We chose responsibility. In the face of a judicial process, we deemed it necessary to let the State of Senegal take the necessary steps…,” he stated in this emotional message.
Through this statement, Kalidou Koulibaly aimed to explain the discretion observed within the group due to strict adherence to ongoing judicial procedures. According to him, this stance also aims to avoid any interference in the diplomatic efforts between the Senegalese authorities and the relevant bodies in Morocco.
The player stressed the need to act responsibly in such a sensitive context, prioritizing the search for a solution through official channels rather than public statements that could complicate the situation. This approach reflects, in his view, the mindset of the Senegalese locker room, committed to solidarity with the supporters while respecting the institutional framework.
