By Happiness Etukudo
The Senegalese Football Federation has dismissed the ruling made by the Confederation of African Football Appeal Board, which awarded the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title to Morocco, and has confirmed its intention to contest this decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
On Tuesday, Morocco was declared the champion of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after the Confederation of African Football Appeal Board reversed the outcome of the final match against Senegal, determining that the West African team forfeited the game due to a walk-off incident that occurred during the match in Rabat on January 19.
The CAF announced that “the Senegal national team is deemed to have forfeited the final match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025, with the score recorded as 3–0 in favor of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football.”
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football acknowledged the decision made by CAF’s Appeal Committee in case DC23316, which was prompted by a complaint filed during match 52 of the TotalEnergies AFCON Morocco 2025 final between Senegal and Morocco.
”The Senegalese Football Federation has today acknowledged the notification of the decision issued on March 17, 2026, by the Appeals Committee of the Confederation of African Football, in relation to case DC23316,” the statement indicated.
The federation noted that the appeal board accepted the protest submitted by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football and reversed the previous ruling of the CAF Disciplinary Board, citing a procedural error in the original hearing.
”With this ruling, the CAF Appeals Board deemed the appeal of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation to be valid and granted it.
”In doing so, the board annulled the decision made by the CAF Disciplinary Board, on the basis that the appellant’s right to a fair hearing had not been upheld during the initial proceedings,” the FSF stated.
In response to the ruling, the Senegalese federation expressed its disapproval of the decision, labeling it as detrimental to the integrity of African football.
”The Senegalese Football Federation condemns a decision that is unfair, unprecedented, and unacceptable, which undermines the reputation of African football,” the statement further noted.
The federation announced its intention to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport located in Lausanne, Switzerland.
”In order to protect its rights and the interests of Senegalese football, the Federation will promptly commence an appeal process before the Court of Arbitration for Sport,” the statement indicated.
The FSF also emphasized its dedication to due process and pledged to keep the public informed as the situation develops.
Senegal rejects CAF’s decision to overturn AFCON triumph
