The Senegalese Football Federation [FSF] has announced its intention to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport [CAS] following a decision by the CAF to strip them of their 2025 AFCON title.
The matter stems from a CAF Appeals Board ruling regarding match no. 52 of the 2025 AFCON final match held at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, between Senegal and the host nation, Morocco.
The final between Senegal and Morocco on January 18 was marred by drama when the Senegalese players walked off the pitch in protest of a penalty awarded to the hosts.
The encounter was halted for approximately 16 minutes as tensions flared. However, Senegal eventually regrouped to secure a hard-fought 1-0 victory in extra time, clinching their second continental title and leaving the Moroccan faithful heartbroken.
In a statement released on Wednesday morning, the FSF confirmed they had been notified of the decision taken on March 17, 2026. The CAF Appeals Board overturned an initial ruling by the Disciplinary Board, citing that the Royal Moroccan Football Federation’s [FRMF] right to be heard had been breached in the first time when the matter was brought to table.
In addition, the Appeals Committee found Senegal in violation of Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON Regulations. As a result, the match was declared a forfeit, with a 3-0 scoreline awarded in favour of Morocco.
However, FSF is not willing to go down without a fight, the Senegalese authorities are now heading to Lausanne, Switzerland, to seek intervention from the highest court in global sport.
The FSF maintained that the ruling undermines the integrity of the game, reaffirming their “unwavering commitment to the values of integrity and sporting justice.”
THE SENEGALESE FOOTBALL FEDERATION OFFICIAL STATEMENT
“The Senegalese Football Federation [FSF] has today taken note of the notification of the decision rendered on March 17, 2026, by the Appeals Board of the Confederation of African Football [CAF], in case DC23316. This procedure follows the complaint filed during match no. 52 of the Total Energies Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON], Morocco 2025, between Senegal and Morocco,” reads FSF’s statement.
“By this decision, the CAF Appeals Board declared the appeal of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation [FRMF] admissible and accepted it. In doing so, the body overturned the decision that had been rendered by the CAF Disciplinary Board, on the grounds that the appellant’s right to be heard had not been respected during the initial proceedings.
“The Appeals Committee also determined that the conduct of the Senegal team fell under Articles 82 and 84 of the Africa Cup of Nations Regulations. Consequently, CAF declared that the FSF had violated Article 82 and awarded the match by forfeit to Senegal, with a recorded score of 3-0 in favor of the FRMF, pursuant to Article 84.
“The Senegalese Football Federation denounces this unfair, unprecedented, and unacceptable decision, which discredits African football.
“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.”
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