Unacceptable! Senegal reject CAF decision to strip their AFCON title

Senegal have announced that they will appeal against the “unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable” decision to overturn their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations victory.

The Confederation of African Football (Caf) dropped the bombshell on Tuesday night that the result of the final had been overturned and Morocco had been awarded the victory in the 2025 final in January.

Senegal won the final 1-0 to claim their second AFCON title, but only after a chaotic match in Rabat. Manager Pape Thiaw and his players left the pitch in protest at Morocco being awarded a penalty by VAR, sparking disorder in the stands.

After a 15-minute delay, Senegal eventually return to the pitch and played on, with Brahim Diaz’s penalty being saved by Edouard Mendy before Pape Gueye scored an extra-time winner.

However, African football’s governing body CAF have now said that Senegal have been “declared to have forfeited the final”, with hosts Morocco handed a 3-0 win.

Pape Thiaw gestures during the AFCON final between Morocco and Senegal. (Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Reacting to this, the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) stated that they will take the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

In a statement, they said: “The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has today been notified of the decision made on March 17, 2026, by the Appeals Board of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), in case DC23316. This procedure follows a complaint filed during match number 52 of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Morocco 2025, between Senegal and Morocco.

“In its decision, the CAF Appeals Board declared the appeal of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) admissible and accepted it. In doing so, the Board overturned the decision rendered by the CAF Disciplinary Board, on the grounds that the appellant’s right to be heard had not been respected during the initial proceedings.

“The Appeals Committee also determined that the conduct of the Senegalese team fell under Articles 82 and 84 of the Africa Cup of Nations Regulations. Consequently, CAF declared that the FSF had violated Article 82 and awarded the match by forfeit to Senegal, with a recorded score of 3-0 in favour of the FRMF, pursuant to Article 84.

“The Senegalese Football Federation denounces this unfair, unprecedented, and unacceptable decision, which discredits African football. To defend its rights and the interests of Senegalese football, the Federation will initiate an appeal as soon as possible before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne.

“The FSF reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the values of integrity and sporting justice and will keep the public informed of developments in this matter.”