The Senegal Football Federation has called for an independent investigation into the Confederation of African Football following the decision to strip Senegal of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title and award it to Morocco.
In a dramatic development on March 17, 2026, CAF overturned the result of the AFCON final, handing Morocco a 3-0 victory despite Senegal initially winning the match on the pitch. The decision has triggered strong reactions from Senegalese authorities and football officials.
The controversy stems from the final played on January 18, 2026, in Rabat. With the match goalless deep into stoppage time, a penalty was awarded to Morocco in the 98th minute following a VAR review.
The decision sparked outrage from Senegal’s bench, leading head coach Pape Thiaw to instruct his players to walk off the pitch in protest.
After a delay of between 14 and 17 minutes, the players eventually returned to continue the match, reportedly following intervention from captain Sadio Mané.
In a strongly worded statement, the Senegal Football Federation expressed its dissatisfaction with CAF’s ruling and rejected the decision outright.
” Senegal cannot tolerate an administrative decision that erases commitment, merit, and sporting excellence. Senegal unequivocally rejects this attempt at unjustified dispossession.
It calls for an independent international investigation into suspected corruption within the CAF’s governing bodies.
Furthermore, Senegal will use all appropriate legal avenues, including before the competent international courts, to ensure that justice is served and that the primacy of sporting results is restored.”
The federation also described the decision as flawed and contrary to the principles of fair play.
” The Government of Senegal expresses its profound dismay following the decision rendered by the appeals committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), which seeks to strip the Senegalese national team of its 2025 African Cup of Nations title and award it to Morocco.
This unprecedented decision, of exceptional gravity, directly contradicts the cardinal principles that underpin sporting ethics, foremost among which are fairness, loyalty, and respect for the truth of the game. It stems from a manifestly erroneous interpretation of the regulations, leading to a grossly illegal and profoundly unjust decision.
By calling into question a result achieved at the end of a match that was properly played to its conclusion and won in accordance with the rules of the game, the CAF seriously undermines its own credibility as well as the legitimate trust that the African people place in continental sporting institutions”
The statement further emphasised the government’s determination to pursue justice and restore Senegal’s status.
“The Government takes this opportunity to reiterate the solidarity of the entire nation with the Senegalese citizens detained in Morocco following the incidents at the AFCON final. It is fully committed to monitoring this case for a positive outcome as soon as possible.
Senegal will remain resolute, vigilant, and unwavering in defending the rights of the Senegalese national team and restoring the honor of African sport.”
Senegal now have 10 days to appeal the decision, with the case to be submitted to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne. The outcome of that process is expected to be crucial in determining whether the ruling will stand.
