The Senegalese Government has called for an independent international investigation into alleged corruption at Confederation of African Football after it stripped the country of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title and awarded it to Morocco.
Senegal had beaten Morocco 1-0 in January’s final in Rabat, but CAG overturned the result on Tuesday, ruling that Senegal forfeited the match after their players walked off the pitch in protest at a stoppage-time penalty decision.
The governing body confirmed the result would be recorded as a 3-0 win for Morocco following an appeal by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation.
In a strongly worded statement, Senegal’s government described the decision as “unprecedented and exceptionally serious”, adding it was based on “a manifestly erroneous interpretation of the regulations”.
“Senegal unequivocally rejects this unjustified attempt at dispossession,” the statement said.
Morocco’s football authorities said they “welcomed” CAF’s verdict, describing it as a decision that reinforces respect for the rules governing international competitions.
CAF president Patrice Motsepe defended the ruling, saying the incidents during the final undermined efforts to uphold integrity and credibility in African football.
“It is important that the decisions of our disciplinary and appeals bodies are respected,” he said, adding that no country would receive preferential treatment.
The Senegalese Football Federation has confirmed it will challenge the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
FSF Secretary General Abdoulaye Seydou Sow described the ruling as “unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable”.
“We will stop at nothing. The law is on our side. The fight is far from over,” he said.
Some Senegal players have also indicated they will not return their winners’ medals, insisting their on-field victory cannot be erased.
The controversy stems from a dramatic conclusion to the final, when referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a penalty in the 98th minute after a VAR review.
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Senegal’s players left the pitch in protest before returning 17 minutes later. Morocco’s Brahim Díaz saw his penalty saved, and Senegal went on to score an extra-time winner through Pape Gueye.
Caf, however, ruled that the walk-off constituted a breach of regulations significant enough to forfeit the match.
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The decision has reignited debate over refereeing standards and the use of VAR during the tournament, with some critics alleging Morocco benefited from favourable decisions.
