Marie Rose Khady Fatou Faye
Thursday, 19 March 2026 | Author – Alex Onyango | Nairobi-Kenya |File Photo| GT-News |
Senegal has strongly condemned a decision by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) appeals committee to strip it of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title and award it to Morocco, calling the move “illegal” and vowing to challenge it in international courts.
In a statement issued by government spokesperson Marie Rose Khady Fatou Faye, Senegal said it was “profoundly dismayed” by what it described as an unprecedented decision that contradicts the principles of fairness and sporting integrity.
The West African nation argued that the final match had been “properly played to its conclusion” and won in accordance with the rules, warning that CAF’s ruling undermines both its credibility and public trust in African football institutions.
“Senegal cannot tolerate an administrative decision that erases commitment, merit, and sporting excellence,” the statement said, adding that the country “unequivocally rejects” the outcome.
The government also called for an independent international investigation into alleged corruption within CAF’s governing bodies, though it did not provide specific evidence.
It said Senegal would pursue “all appropriate legal avenues,” including international courts, to overturn the decision and restore what it described as the rightful sporting result.
The statement further expressed solidarity with Senegalese nationals detained in Morocco following incidents linked to the AFCON final, pledging to monitor their situation closely.
CAF has not yet publicly responded to Senegal’s latest remarks.
