AFCON 2025: Senegal rejects CAF verdict, plans appeal

The Senegalese Football Federation has rejected the decision of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeal Board awarding the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title to Morocco, saying it would challenge the ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Recall that Morocco were on Tuesday crowned champions after the CAF Appeal Board overturned the result of the final against Senegal.

The ruling stated that Senegal forfeited the match following a walk-off during the game in Rabat on January 19.

CAF stated that “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.”

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How CAF reached its decision

The decision followed a protest by Morocco after incidents late in the final. Senegal players briefly left the pitch after a disallowed goal and a penalty awarded to the hosts.

The appeal board ruled that the action fell under Articles 82 and 84 of the competition regulations on misconduct and forfeiture. This formed the basis for overturning the earlier decision on the match.

According to the statement, the appeal committee ruled that the conduct of the Senegal national team fell under Articles 82 and 84 of the Africa Cup of Nations regulations, leading to the forfeiture decision.

FSF cites procedural flaws

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football said it had taken note of the decision delivered by CAF’s Appeal Committee in case DC23316.

The case followed a complaint filed during match 52 of the TotalEnergies AFCON Morocco 2025 final.

“The Senegalese Football Federation has today taken note of the notification of the decision rendered on March 17, 2026, by the Appeals Committee of the Confederation of African Football, in the context of case DC23316,” the statement read.

The federation said the appeal board declared admissible the protest lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football and overturned the earlier decision of the CAF Disciplinary Board, citing a procedural flaw in the initial hearing.

Details of appeal board ruling

“With this decision, the CAF Appeals Board declared the appeal of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation admissible and accepted it.

“In doing so, the board overturned the decision rendered by the CAF Disciplinary Board, on the grounds that the appellant’s right to be heard had not been respected during the initial proceedings,” the FSF said.

“The Appeals Committee also determined that the conduct of the Senegalese team fell under Articles 82 and 84 of the Africa Cup of Nations Regulations.

“Consequently, CAF declared that the FSF had violated Article 82 and awarded the match by forfeit, with a recorded score of 3–0 in favor of the FRMF, in accordance with Article 84,” the federation stated.

Senegal reacts, heads to CAS

Reacting to the verdict, the Senegalese federation criticised the decision. It described the outcome as damaging to African football.

“The Senegalese Football Federation denounces an unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable decision that discredits African football,” the statement added.

The federation confirmed that it would file an appeal before the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland.

“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,” the statement said.

“The FSF reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the values of integrity and sporting justice, and will keep the public informed of the follow-up to this matter,” the statement concluded.