Edi Umoh
Senegal has demanded an independent international investigation into alleged corruption after the Confederation of African Football stripped the country of its Africa Cup of Nations title and awarded the victory to Morocco in a dramatic reversal of the tournament final.
The controversy stems from the final held in Rabat on January 18, when Senegalese players briefly walked off the pitch in protest after Morocco were awarded a late penalty in stoppage time.
Morocco had remained on the pitch after the centre referee awarded them a controversial penalty while Senegalese players, propelled by their coach, protested by walking off the pitch.
Only Sadio Mane, the team’s captain, remained on the field of play and later persuaded others to come back and continue the match.
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The players later returned following intervention from captain Sadio Mané, and Morocco subsequently missed the spot-kick before Pape Gueye scored in extra time to secure a 1-0 win for Senegal.
However, CAF announced on Tuesday, March 17, that it had upheld an appeal by Morocco, ruling that Senegal had forfeited the match due to the walk-off. The governing body said the result would be officially recorded as 3-0 in favour of Morocco.
Reacting to the decision, Senegal’s government issued a strongly worded statement through spokeswoman Marie Rose Khady Fatou Faye, accusing CAF of undermining its own credibility.
“By calling into question a result achieved at the end of a match that was properly played and won in accordance with the rules of the game, the CAF seriously undermines its own credibility,” she said, adding that Senegal “unequivocally rejects this unjustified attempt at dispossession.”
Faye described the ruling as “a grossly illegal and profoundly unjust decision” and confirmed that Senegal would pursue legal action, including taking the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport within 48 hours.
The secretary-general of the Senegalese Football Federation has also formally requested that CAF suspend enforcement of the decision and halt any process to return the trophy to Morocco pending the outcome of arbitration.
The dispute has further been complicated by the detention of 18 Senegalese fans in Morocco following unrest during the match. The supporters were convicted in February on charges including violence against security personnel and property damage, receiving prison sentences ranging from three months to one year, alongside fines.
Senegal’s government reiterated its solidarity with the detained citizens and said it remained committed to ensuring a swift and positive resolution to both the legal and diplomatic aspects of the crisis.
Sani Slams CAF For Declaring Morocco Winner
Former federal lawmaker Shehu Sani has criticized the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for stripping Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title.
Angered by CAF’s decision, Sani wrote on X, “Senegal won the AFCON on the pitch but was snatched by CAF in the Boardroom; that’s unconscionable and a dangerous precedent in African football.
“The fact that the Senegalese team walked out in protest and returned to play till the final whistle doesn’t warrant this afterthought daylight robbery. They just want to reward Morocco for hosting and losing.”
