Senegal responded to being stripped of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title on Tuesday night with a sharply worded statement.
Senegal advanced to the AFCON final on January 18 and faced Morocco, the hosts, at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
Morocco had a fantastic chance to win the game in injury time when they were given a contentious penalty. However, the decision infuriated Senegal, and in protest, manager Pape Thiaw ordered his squad off the pitch. After a delay of over twenty minutes, Sadio Mane eventually persuaded his squad to return to the field and continue the game. Senegal would go on to win the championship due to Pape Gueye’s extra-time goal after Brahim Diaz notoriously missed the penalty.
Senegal has now been held accountable for its acts after almost two months. Senegal is “declared to have forfeited the final,” according to the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) appeals board, and Morocco, the host country, will now automatically win the match 3-0.
In a sharply worded statement, Senegal has now condemned the decision. Their letter read: “The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) denounces this unjust, unprecedented, and unacceptable decision, which discredits African football…”The Federation will promptly begin an appeal process before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne to protect its rights and the interests of Senegalese football. The FSF reiterates its steadfast dedication to the principles of sporting fairness and integrity and promises to keep the public updated on any developments in this regard.
CAF is “corrupt,” according to Abdoulaye Sow, Secretary General of the FSF, and “the cup will not leave this country.” “The Confederation of African Football is corrupt, and the reactions worldwide following this decision confirm total outrage,” he told Le Soleil, according to the Daily Mail. The president of the FSF is in communication with everyone concerned. The battle is far from finished. I want to reassure everyone in Senegal. Senegal has won and has the right. The cup will stay in the nation.
“This is a travesty; this decision is based on absolutely nothing,” he continued, according to the Guardian. There is no legal basis for it. The federation president will contact the attorneys; we will interact with the relevant authorities before proceeding to the sport arbitration court, which will render the ultimate ruling. “We will not back down,” he said after calling the decision a “shame for Africa.” Senegalese people ought to be certain. Both the law and the truth are in Senegal’s favour.
By: Andrews Kwesi Yeboah