The Senegalese Football Federation announced plans to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after the country was controversially stripped of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title on Tuesday.
In a statement, the federation condemned the decision as “unjust, unprecedented and unacceptable,” adding that it “brings African football into disrepute.” The federation said it would file an appeal to CAS “as soon as possible” to defend the rights and interests of Senegalese football.
Senegal’s players walked off the pitch during the AFCON final in Rabat on January 18 after a late penalty was awarded to Morocco. The incident caused a 20-minute halt before the players, persuaded by captain Sadio Mane, returned to the field. Morocco missed the spot-kick, and Pape Gueye scored in extra time, initially giving Morocco a 1-0 victory.
CAF later ruled that Senegal had forfeited the match, citing Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON Regulations, which state that a team leaving the field without referee authorization will lose the match 3-0 and be eliminated from the competition.
“The Senegal national team is declared to have forfeited the match, with the result officially recorded as 3-0 in favor of Morocco,” CAF said.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) clarified that its appeal “was never intended to contest the sporting performance of the teams… but solely to request the application of the competition regulations.”
The final was marked by chaotic scenes, including a pitch invasion attempt by some Senegalese supporters and the awarding of a controversial penalty by Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala after a VAR review. Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy saved the penalty attempt, and the game proceeded to extra time where Gueye scored the decisive goal.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino condemned the player walk-off as “unacceptable” and stressed that violence and leaving the field cannot be tolerated in football.
CAF also imposed fines on both national federations for unsportsmanlike conduct, while the trial of 18 Senegalese supporters imprisoned for hooliganism has been postponed to March 30. Senegal now has 10 days to appeal the CAF Appeals Committee’s decision at CAS.
Players reacted on social media, with defender Moussa Niakhate posting a picture lifting the AFCON trophy and captioning it “they’re mad,” signaling disapproval of the ruling.
The case is set to further fuel debate over fair play, governance, and disciplinary consistency in African football.
