Senegal to challenge CAF ruling overturning AFCON title at CAS

The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has announced plans to appeal the Confederation of African Football (CAF)’s decision to strip the country of its 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title and award it to Morocco.

Senegal had originally defeated Morocco in the final, with Pape Gueye scoring the decisive extra-time goal in a match that has now been nullified.

On Tuesday, CAF’s Appeals Board ruled that Senegal forfeited the final after some of its players walked off the pitch in protest against a referee’s decision. The board held that the action violated Articles 82 and 84 of the tournament’s regulations.

The ruling came after Morocco appealed an earlier decision by CAF’s Disciplinary Committee, which had dismissed its request to overturn the match result.

Reacting in a statement on Wednesday, the FSF condemned the verdict, describing it as unfair, unprecedented, and damaging to the image of African football.

The federation said it would take the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne to defend its position.

“The Senegalese Football Federation denounces this unjust, unprecedented and unacceptable decision, which discredits African football,” the statement said.

“To protect its rights and the interests of Senegalese football, the federation will file an appeal as soon as possible before the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne.

“The FSF remains firmly committed to the principles of integrity and sporting justice and will keep the public informed of further developments.”

CAF’s Appeals Board, which delivered the ruling, is made up of nine members and is chaired by Nigerian judge Roli Daibo Harriman.