Senegal's traditional wrestlers have rejected accusations that they were involved in the recent protests that wracked the West African country, the AFP news agency reports.

The wrestlers, who are revered by millions in Senegal, have been angered by reports that they were behind the violence in which at least eight people died.

On social media, some people have accused the government of hiring wrestlers to quell demonstrations.

The AFP quotes Senegal's Justice Minister Malick Sall suggesting that the wrestlers were involved in the unrest "to let off steam" at a time coronavirus pandemic restrictions were in place,

"The young people, many of them were in the wrestling stables...This allowed them not only to let off steam but to earn a living," Mr Sall is quoted as saying during an interview this month.

Khadim Gadiaga, the head of a respected wrestling stable in the capital Dakar denied the accusations. "Not a single licensed wrestler took part in the rallies," the AFP quoted him as saying.

Senegal protests in recent weeks were sparked by the arrest of an opposition leader, Ousmane Sonko, accused of rape - which he says is politically motivated.