The Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) dramatic decision to strip Senegal of its 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title and award it to Morocco has ignited a major legal battle, with Senegalese authorities announcing plans to challenge the ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
In a strongly worded statement released on Tuesday, the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) condemned the verdict as “unjust, unprecedented and unacceptable,” vowing to fight the decision that has sent shockwaves through the football world.
“The Senegalese Football Federation condemns this unjust, unprecedented and unacceptable decision, which brings African football into disrepute,” the statement read. “To defend its rights and the interests of Senegalese football, the federation will, as soon as possible, file an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne.”
A Final Decided Off the Pitch
The controversy stems from a chaotic final held in Rabat, which originally saw Senegal secure a 1-0 victory after extra time. The match descended into disorder late in the second half when Moroccan player Brahim DÃaz was awarded a penalty following a VAR review.
The decision sparked furious protests from Senegalese players, who briefly walked off the pitch in dissent. Order was eventually restored, largely due to the intervention of captain Sadio Mané, and the match resumed. Moroccan substitute El Yamiq ultimately missed the resulting spot-kick, with Pape Gueye later scoring the extra-time winner that appeared to seal Senegal’s title defense.
However, the temporary walk-off proved costly. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) filed a protest, and CAF’s subsequent ruling determined that Senegal’s actions constituted a breach of the competition’s regulations.
CAF Cites Breach of Rules
Citing Articles 82 and 84 of its regulations—which sanction teams that refuse to play or leave the field of play without authorisation—CAF ruled that Senegal had effectively forfeited the match. The governing body has officially recorded the result as a 3-0 victory for Morocco.
The FRMF stated that its appeal was based strictly on the enforcement of these regulations. “The Federation reaffirms its commitment to respecting the rules, to the clarity of the competitive framework, and to the stability of African competitions,” the Moroccan federation said in a statement.
The final was also marred by reports of attempted pitch invasions and prolonged delays, which appeared to affect the composure of the Moroccan penalty taker. Despite the on-field disruption, the match proceeded to its conclusion before the title was posthumously revoked by CAF’s judicial bodies.
Fallout and the Road Ahead
The decision has triggered widespread frustration among Senegalese players and fans on social media. FIFA President Gianni Infantino was among those who criticised the disorder witnessed during the match, though he has not commented directly on CAF’s ruling. Both federations have already been fined by CAF over misconduct and breaches of fair play regulations during the final.
Senegal’s appeal to CAS sets the stage for a landmark legal battle that will scrutinise the balance between strict regulatory enforcement and the integrity of a result achieved on the pitch. The case could have profound implications for the official record of one of the most controversial tournaments in African football history.
