Senegal vows to challenge CAF decision to overturn AFCON triumph
The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has disclosed initiating legal avenues, including appealing the decision by the CAF Appeal Board to strip them of their 2025 AFCON trophy, to the Court of Arbitration of Sports (CAS).
Senegalese players controversially walked off the pitch in Rabat during the final on January 18, 2026, in protest when the hosts were awarded a penalty late in second-half stoppage time.
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In a statement posted hours after the CAF decision was made public on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, Senegal, through its general secretary, condemned the decision to strip them of the continental honours.
“The Senegalese Football Federation denounces this unfair, unprecedented, and unacceptable decision, which discredits African football,” part of the Senegalese FA statement said.
The FA added that it would be escalating the matter to the highest arbitration organ of football, based in the French city of Lausanne.
CAS
“To defend its rights and the interests of Senegalese football, the Federation will initiate an appeal as soon as possible before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne.
The FSF reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the values of integrity and sporting justice and will keep the public informed of developments in this matter,”
In its ruling, CAF said that having studied Morocco’s appeal, “the Senegal national team is declared to have forfeited the match” and the result was “officially recorded as 3-0” in favour of Morocco.
The Appeals Committee based its decision on Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON Regulations, which state that if a team “refuses to play or leaves the ground before the regular end of the match without the authorisation of the referee, it shall be considered (loser) and shall be eliminated for good from the current competition.”
Several former footballers and African and European football legends have shared divergent opinions over the decision that came after the finals.
FIFA, CAF condemnation
Among them are former Man United legend Patrice Evra and a section of Senegal stars who were part of the triumphant winning side.
In late January 2026, after the events of the chaotic finals, CAF imposed a series of disciplinary sanctions, including fines amounting to several hundred thousand euros, on the federations of both countries for unsportsmanlike conduct and violations of fair play principles.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino also condemned some Senegal players for what he termed as “unacceptable scenes.”
