The Senegal national football team has announced plans to challenge the decision of the Confederation of African Football that stripped them of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title, following their controversial walk-off in the final against Morocco national football team.
In a statement, the Senegalese Football Federation condemned the ruling as “unjust, unprecedented, and unacceptable,” claiming it “brings African football into disrepute.” The federation said it would file an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne “as soon as possible” to defend the rights and interests of Senegalese football.
Senegal had initially won the match in extra time, with Pape Gueye scoring the decisive goal. However, controversy erupted after two critical decisions: Ismaila Sarr’s goal was disallowed, and Morocco was awarded a last-minute penalty following VAR intervention. The Senegal squad, reportedly urged by manager Pape Thiaw, temporarily left the pitch in protest before returning 15 minutes later. Morocco’s Brahim Diaz then missed the penalty, forcing extra time.
CAF’s Appeals Committee applied Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON regulations, which state that a team that “refuses to play or leaves the ground before the regular end of the match without the authorisation of the referee” is considered the loser and automatically eliminated, with the match recorded as a 3-0 defeat.
The Senegalese Football Federation reaffirmed its intention to appeal, calling for justice and transparency in the handling of African football competitions.
