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The Senegalese Football Federation has rejected the verdict of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeal Board awarding the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) champions title to Morocco.
In a statement issued after CAF passed its verdict, the Senegalese football federation confirmed it will challenge the verdict at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
“The Senegalese Football Federation denounces an unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable decision that discredits African football,” the statement read in part.
“To defend its rights and the interests of Senegalese football, the Federation will initiate, as soon as possible, an appeal procedure before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.”
During the AFCON final, Senegalese footballers briefly left the pitch after a disallowed goal and a penalty awarded to the hosts. Morocco, the hosting country, protested Senegal’s win, and the appeal board ruled in Morocco’s favour, noting that Senegal’s staged walk-off contravenes Articles 82 and 84 of the competition regulations on misconduct and forfeiture.
CAF crowned the Moroccan football team the 2025 AFCON champions after its appeal board overturned the result of the final against Senegal, ruling that Senegal forfeited the match following a walk-off during the game in Rabat during the 2025 AFCON final on January 19.
“The Senegal national team is declared to have forfeited the final match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025, with the result recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football,” CAF stated on Tuesday.
The Senegalese federation, however, criticised the decision and described the verdict as damaging to the credibility of African football.
