Dakar – Senegal’s football authorities have moved to challenge a decision by the Confederation of African Football to strip the country of its 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title and award it to Morocco, setting up a legal battle at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne.
The Senegalese Football Federation confirmed on Wednesday that it would file an appeal following CAF’s ruling, which came after a protest lodged by Morocco over events during the final played on 18 January at Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat.
“The Senegalese Football Federation condemns this unjust, unprecedented and unacceptable decision, which brings African football into disrepute,” the body said in a statement. 
“To defend its rights and the interests of Senegalese football, the federation will, as soon as possible, file an appeal with the Cas in Lausanne.”
The dispute stems from a chaotic end to the final, where Senegal coach Pape Thiaw ordered his players off the pitch in protest after referee Jean Jacques Ndala used video assistance to award Morocco a stoppage time penalty, shortly after disallowing a Senegal goal without the same review.
Tensions escalated as the match was halted for nearly 20 minutes amid clashes between Senegal supporters and police. Senegal striker Sadio Mané appealed to teammates to return and complete the fixture.
With the last action of regulation time, Morocco’s Brahim Diaz missed a decisive penalty. His chipped attempt was easily collected by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, allowing the match to proceed into extra time where Pape Gueye scored the winning goal.
CAF later ruled that Senegal had breached competition rules.
“It is declared that the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football, through the conduct of its team, infringed Article 82 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations,” the organisation said.
“In application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations, the Senegal team is declared to have forfeited the match, with the result recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football.”
Morocco’s football federation defended its appeal, stating it acted to ensure rules were applied.
“The federation reaffirms its commitment to respecting the rules, to the clarity of the competitive framework, and to the stability of African competitions,” it said.
The ruling triggered reactions from players, with Senegal international Moussa Niakhate posting a celebratory image holding the trophy alongside the message: “Come and get them. They’re mad!”
Veteran coach Claude Leroy criticised the situation, telling RFI: “I feel a sense of sadness about the way some people are striving to damage the image of Africa.”
He added: “I’m astonished at the farcical decisions of incompetent people who run African football. This could not happen anywhere other than in Africa. It has to stop. This continent deserves better. We saw that Morocco was capable of organising an Africa Cup of Nations with stadiums, training grounds, transport, and hotel conditions of a very high global standard. We must not let good for nothings, incompetent people damage the image created by the quality that was on display on the pitch.”
Following the fallout, Morocco coach Walid Regragui stepped down from his position.
“The team needs a breath of fresh air and a new vision,” he said. “I’ve thought over this decision for a long time.”
Mohamed Ouahbi is set to take charge of Morocco ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, where they have been drawn in Group C alongside Brazil, Scotland and Haiti.
Senegal are placed in Group I with France, Norway and a side to emerge from the intercontinental play off in March.
