In a dramatic and highly controversial twist, the Confederation of African Football has ruled to strip Senegal of its Africa Cup of Nations title, awarding the البطولة instead to host nation Morocco—two months after the final was played.
The decision, delivered by CAF’s Appeals Board on Tuesday, overturns Senegal’s 1–0 extra-time victory, instead awarding Morocco a 3–0 win by default. According to CAF, the ruling stems from Senegal’s alleged action of walking off the pitch before the official conclusion of the match.
Citing Article 82 of its competition regulations, CAF stated that any team that “withdraws from a match, refuses to play, or leaves the field before the final whistle without the referee’s approval” automatically forfeits the game and is eliminated from the competition.
However, the ruling has sparked outrage from the Senegalese Football Federation, which described the decision as “unfair, unprecedented, and unacceptable.”
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In a strongly worded statement, the federation said the verdict “discredits African football” and undermines the integrity of the sport on the continent. The FSF also confirmed plans to challenge the ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland.
“The FSF reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the values of integrity and sporting justice,” the statement read, adding that it will keep the public informed as the legal battle unfolds.
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If pursued, the appeal process at CAS could take up to a year, meaning uncertainty may continue to cloud the outcome of one of Africa’s biggest football tournaments.
This development has sent shockwaves across the football world, raising serious questions about governance, disciplinary procedures, and the credibility of continental competitions.
As fans and stakeholders await further clarity, the controversy is set to become one of the most talked-about episodes in African football history.
