The Senegalese government has called for an independent international investigation into alleged corruption within African football’s governing body after the country was stripped of its 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title and the trophy awarded to Morocco.
In a dramatic post-final ruling, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) overturned Senegal’s 1–0 victory over Morocco, despite the match being completed on the pitch, following an appeal by the Moroccan FA.
CAF ruled that Senegal had forfeited the final after players briefly walked off in protest at a stoppage-time penalty awarded to the hosts.
The walk-off occurred in the 98th minute after referee Jean Jacques Ndala, advised by VAR, reviewed a challenge by defender El Hadji Malick Diouf on Brahim Diaz and pointed to the spot.
Senegal’s players returned to the field after a 17-minute delay. Diaz’s attempted ‘Panenka’ penalty was saved, before Pape Gueye scored an extra-time winner that initially sealed the title for Senegal.
However, CAF later ruled that the temporary withdrawal constituted a forfeit, recording the match as a 3–0 win for Morocco and awarding them the championship.
In a statement, the Senegalese government described the ruling as “unprecedented and exceptionally serious,” accusing CAF of a “manifestly erroneous interpretation of the regulations” that led to a “grossly illegal and deeply unjust decision.”
“Senegal unequivocally rejects this unjustified attempt at dispossession,” the statement said, adding that the country would pursue all available legal avenues.
The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) confirmed it will challenge the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
FSF secretary general Abdoulaye Seydou Sow told Senegalese broadcaster RTS 1 that the ruling was “unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable.”
“This decision brings discredit to African football. It is not based on any rule of law. We felt the jury was not there to uphold the law, but to carry out an order. Senegal will defend its rights to the very end,” he said.
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Several Senegal players have indicated they will not relinquish their winners’ medals.
Everton and Senegal midfielder Idrissa Gueye said on social media: “We know what we experienced that evening in Rabat. And no-one can take that away from us.”
The controversy has prompted the International Football Association Board (Ifab) to open a consultation on how football’s laws should address situations in which players or officials leave the field of play in protest against refereeing decisions.
Senegal’s walk-off did not include captain Sadio Mané, who remained on the pitch as the final, played in torrential rain in Rabat, was already marred by complaints over officiating and the use of VAR, with Senegal previously alerting security arrangements and their treatment on arrival.
The ruling also addressed incidents involving ball boys, partially upholding an appeal related to misconduct during the match while reducing fines imposed on the Moroccan Football Association.
Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy was repeatedly disrupted, with ball boys interfering with his equipment, while reserve keeper Yehvann Diouf was reportedly tackled and dragged during a confrontation on the touchline.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino condemned the scenes in the final, describing the walk-off as “unacceptable” and warning that such incidents “must be condemned and never repeated.”
Former Caf head of disciplinary Raymond Hack questioned the integrity of the decision, warning of a growing perception of political interference in African football governance.
“The game should be won on the field of play, not in a boardroom,” Hack said, arguing that only the referee has the authority to abandon a match.
He cautioned that allowing post-match rulings to determine outcomes could encourage teams to routinely challenge results through legal action, and that a CAS appeal could take up to six months to resolve.