DAKAR, SENEGAL – In the wake of the shocking decision by the CAF Appeal Board to strip Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title, the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has taken a bold stand. In a statement released earlier this week, the FSF declared its intention to challenge the ruling in the highest legal forum in global sports.
“A Stab to the Heart” of Sporting Integrity
The FSF was swift in condemning the administrative reversal, which awarded a 3–0 forfeit victory to Morocco. The federation argued that the decision undermines the very principles on which African football is built.
“Football matches are decided by the talent and sweat of athletes over 90 minutes. To see a hard-fought victory overturned in a boardroom months later is not just a setback for Senegal, but a blow to the credibility of the sport itself,” the FSF emphasized in its statement.
The Heart of the Dispute
At the center of the controversy lies a late-game incident in which Senegalese players briefly left the field after a VAR-awarded penalty was given to Morocco. While the match resumed and Senegal eventually secured a 1–0 victory, CAF’s recent ruling, citing Articles 82 and 84, interpreted the walk-off as a formal abandonment of the match.
The FSF’s response is resolute:
- Completion of Play: The match was completed in full, and the final whistle confirmed Senegal as the rightful winners.
- The Final Whistle: The referee’s signal marked the end of the game with Senegal securing the win.
- Procedural Oversight: The FSF contends that the Appeal Board overreached by overturning the original Disciplinary Board decision, which had already cleared the team of any wrongdoing.
Next Steps: A Legal Showdown in Lausanne
The FSF has confirmed that it is preparing an extensive case to present before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The federation is seeking an immediate stay of the CAF decision and the reinstatement of Senegal as the 2025 AFCON champions.
“We owe it to our players, our staff, and the millions of Senegalese fans to ensure that the gold earned on the grass remains ours,” the statement concluded.
