- Senegal Demands Probe Into CAF Over AFCON Title Decision
- Government and FA reject ruling call decision unjust and illegal
- Case heads to CAS as players officials and FIFA react
The government of Senegal has called for an independent international investigation into alleged corruption within the Confederation of African Football following the decision to strip the country of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title and award it to Morocco.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Senegal had defeated Morocco 1-0 in the final played in Rabat in January. However, CAF overturned the result on Tuesday, March 17, ruling the match forfeited after Senegalese players briefly walked off the pitch in protest over a stoppage-time penalty decision.
The players returned after a 17-minute delay, during which Brahim Díaz missed the penalty. Pape Gueye later scored the winning goal in extra time.
Following an appeal by the Moroccan Football Federation, CAF ruled that the match be recorded as a 3-0 victory in favour of Morocco.
In a strongly worded statement, the Senegalese government described the ruling as “unprecedented and exceptionally serious,” adding that it was based on “a manifestly erroneous interpretation of the regulations, leading to a grossly illegal and deeply unjust decision.”
“Senegal unequivocally rejects this unjustified attempt at dispossession,” the statement read.
The Senegalese Football Federation has also confirmed it will challenge the ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
FSF Secretary General, Abdoulaye Seydou Sow, said, “This decision is a breach of trust that is not based on any rule of law.
“We felt that the jury wasn’t there to uphold the law, but to carry out an order.
“We will stop at nothing. The law is on our side. The fight is far from over. Senegal will defend its rights to the very end.”
Several players have also rejected the verdict. Midfielder Idrissa Gueye wrote, “We know what we experienced that evening in Rabat. No one can take that away from us.”
The incident has drawn wider attention, with the International Football Association Board opening consultations on how to handle similar protests in the future.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the walk off as unacceptable, insisting that such actions must not be repeated.
The final, already marked by controversy over refereeing decisions and VAR interventions, has continued to generate debate.
Former CAF disciplinary chief Raymond Hack warned that the ruling could fuel perceptions of political interference, noting that Moroccan FA president Fouzi Lekjaa also serves as CAF’s first vice president.
“The game should be won on the field of play not in a boardroom,” Hack said.
