Senegal has confirmed it will appeal the “unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable” ruling to overturn its Africa Cup of Nations victory. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) made a shocking announcement on Tuesday night that the result of January’s final had been overturned, retroactively awarding Morocco victory in the 2025 showpiece competition. Senegal won 1-0 in the final on January 18 to claim their second AFCON crown, after an eventful encounter in Rabat.
Coach Pape Thiau and the Senegalese national team abandoned the pitch in protest at the penalty awarded to Morocco by VAR, sparking mayhem on the terraces. After a 15-minute break, they returned to the field and continued play, with Brahim Dias’ spot-kick saved by Edouard Mendy and Pape Gueye scoring the winning goal in extra time. Despite this, African football’s governing body CAF announced that Senegal had been “declared disqualified from progressing to the final”, with hosts Morocco winning 3-0.
This followed an appeal by the Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), which was “declared formally acceptable” and accepted. However, the controversial decision does not signal the end of the process, as the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has announced that it will refer the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
“The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) was today informed of the decision taken on March 17, 2026 by the Appeals Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in the DC23316 case. This procedure follows a complaint lodged during the Total Energy Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 Morocco Match 52 match between Senegal and Morocco,” it said in a statement.
“In its decision, the CAF Appeals Committee declared and accepted the appeal of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF). In doing so, the Committee reversed the decision taken by the CAF Disciplinary Committee on the basis that the appellant’s right to be heard was not respected in the initial proceedings.”
“The Appeals Committee also determined that the actions of the Senegal team fell within Articles 82 and 84 of the African Cup of Nations Regulations. As a result, CAF declared that the FSF had breached Article 82 and awarded Senegal a default under Article 84 with a recorded score of 3-0 in favor of the FRMF.
“The Senegalese Football Federation condemns this unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable decision that discredits African football. In order to protect the rights and interests of the Senegalese Football Federation, the Senegalese Football Federation will launch an appeal as soon as possible to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne.”
“FSF reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the values of integrity and sporting justice and will continue to keep the public informed about developments on this issue.”
