By Kunle Afolayan
Senegal have vowed to press ahead with a celebratory parade of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy, despite being officially stripped of the title in a decision that has sparked outrage and a looming legal battle.
The West African giants say they will showcase the trophy before Saturday’s friendly against Peru in Paris, in a bold statement of defiance against the ruling by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), which awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory after overturning the original final result.
At a tense media briefing in Paris, Senegal Football Federation (FSF) president Abdoulaye Fall did not mince words, describing the decision as an injustice that will be fiercely contested.
“Faced with what amounts to the most blatant and unprecedented administrative robbery in the history of our sport, the FSF refuses to accept this as inevitable,” Fall declared.
“Senegal will not bend the knee and will not compromise its values. Our fight now transcends the football pitch.”
Chaos, Controversy, and Reversal
Senegal had initially clinched their second AFCON title on 18 January, edging hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time in a final marred by chaos. The match took a dramatic turn when Senegal players walked off the pitch following a controversial stoppage-time penalty awarded to Morocco while the game was still goalless.
Morocco’s football authority swiftly petitioned CAF and FIFA, arguing that Senegal’s walk-off “greatly affected the normal course of the match.”
Although CAF’s disciplinary committee first rejected the protest and sanctioned both teams, including a five-match ban for Senegal coach Pape Thiaw, the appeals board later ruled in Morocco’s favour, citing breaches of competition rules.
Legal Battle Escalates
Senegal have since taken the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which confirmed it has received the appeal and pledged a swift ruling.
Flanked by legal advisers, Fall described the challenge as both moral and legal.
“To wage this crusade, we have appointed a team of seasoned professionals with undeniable expertise,” he said.
One of Senegal’s lawyers, Seydou Diagne, condemned the ruling in scathing terms:
“This decision is so blatant, so absurd, so irrational. It cannot even be considered a true decision of sporting justice. It is an unacceptable and intolerable attack.”
Another counsel, Juan Perez, warned of far-reaching implications:
“A match that was over, decided by the referee, is now being re-refereed administratively. That’s unprecedented. It could change the world of football.”
CAF Pushes Back, Tensions Rise
CAF president Patrice Motsepe has defended the process, insisting the appeals body acted independently.
“It is important that the decisions of our disciplinary and appeals boards are viewed with respect and integrity,” Motsepe said.
Senegal’s government has gone further, calling for an investigation into alleged corruption within CAF, claims the governing body has firmly rejected.
Battle Far From Over
While CAF briefly updated its website to list Morocco as AFCON 2025 champions, the page has since disappeared, adding another twist to the saga.
With Senegal refusing to relinquish the trophy and pressing ahead with Saturday’s parade, the dispute over who truly are Africa’s champions is far from settled, and may ultimately be decided in court rather than on the pitch.
