Key Takeaways:
- On Tuesday, Senegal was stripped of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title following a CAF Appeals Board ruling in favour of Morocco
- The Confederation of African Football Appeals Board awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory, overturning Senegal’s initial 1-0 win
- Senegal’s Football Federation confirmed it will appeal this decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne
Background: Title Decision Overturned
The Senegal Football Federation (FSF) has expressed strong condemnation following their removal as 2025 Africa Cup of Nations champions in favour of Morocco, as decided by a Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeals Board on Tuesday. The board awarded Morocco a 3-0 win, overturning Senegal’s prior 1-0 result, in a move the FSF described as “unfair, unprecedented, and unacceptable”.
Communiqué de la FSF relatif à la notification de la décision rendue le 17 mars 2026 par le Jury d'Appel de la Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF). 👇 pic.twitter.com/b0xxQsMQWU
— Equipe du Sénégal (@GaindeYi) March 18, 2026
Details of the Ruling
The CAF Appeals Board determined that sanctions previously imposed by the Disciplinary Committee – which included fines and suspensions for Senegal – did not go far enough, stating the result should also be overturned. The Appeals Board referenced Articles 82 and 84 of AFCON regulations, stating that the match was forfeited after several Senegal players exited the field following a late Moroccan penalty.
Senegal’s Response and Planned Appeal
The FSF announced its intention to challenge the CAF Appeals Board’s verdict at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne. They argue that only the on-field referee holds the authority to declare a forfeit, a decision which, according to their account, was never made, as the referee failed to blow the final whistle following the incident. Senegal fears that upholding this decision could set a precedent for future retroactive changes to match outcomes.
Abdoulaye Seydou Sow, FSF Secretary General, described the verdict as a “travesty”, adding: “This decision is based on absolutely nothing. It has no legal foundation,” in comments to state broadcaster RTS1. Sow also criticised the Appeals Board hearing process, voicing concerns about impartiality and vowed that Senegal’s governing body would involve legal counsel and pursue all necessary steps until justice is served.
Moroccan Reaction
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation has acknowledged the Appeals Board’s decision, clarifying that its objective was solely to ensure the correct application of the competition’s regulations. The federation emphasised its commitment to rule adherence, competitive transparency, and upholding the integrity of African football tournaments.
