Senegal has announced plans to parade the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy ahead of their friendly against Peru national football team on Saturday in Paris, signaling the country’s refusal to accept the controversial decision by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to award the title to Morocco.
The Lions of Teranga clinched what was initially their second AFCON crown on 18 January, defeating hosts Morocco national football team 1-0 after extra time in a match overshadowed by chaos. Senegal players walked off the pitch following a stoppage-time penalty award to Morocco with the match goalless.
However, CAF later overturned the result, awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory. Senegal promptly filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which has confirmed receipt of the case and pledged to issue a ruling “as swiftly as possible.”
At a press conference in Paris, Abdoulaye Fall denounced the decision as “the most blatant and unprecedented administrative robbery in the history of our sport.” He confirmed the trophy parade scheduled at the Stade de France ahead of Saturday’s friendly.
“Senegal will not bend the knee and will not compromise its values,” Fall declared. “Our fight now transcends the football pitch.”
The controversial appeal stems from Senegal leaving the field before the end of the AFCON final, which Morocco contested to CAF, citing disruption to the match and players’ morale.
CAF initially imposed sanctions on both sides, including a five-match ban for Senegal coach Pape Thiaw, but later ruled Senegal had violated articles 82 and 84 of competition regulations, resulting in the forfeiture of the title.
Senegal’s government has accused CAF of suspected corruption, a claim dismissed by CAF president Patrice Motsepe, who emphasized the independence of the disciplinary and appeals boards.
FSF has assembled a legal team led by Seydou Diagne and Juan Perez, both of whom criticized CAF’s decision as “absurd,” “irrational,” and unprecedented in football history.
With Senegal refusing to hand over the trophy and planning a public parade, the AFCON 2025 title dispute is far from resolved. CAS’s final ruling will determine whether the Lions of Teranga retain their continental crown or the title is permanently awarded to Morocco.
