The Senegalese Football Federation has strongly rejected a ruling by the Confederation of African Football Appeals Board and confirmed plans to take the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The decision, issued on March 17, 2026, overturned an earlier verdict by CAF’s Disciplinary Board and declared that Senegal forfeited the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco.
The match was consequently awarded 3-0 to the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, citing breaches of Articles 82 and 84 of AFCON regulations.
Morocco had filed a protest following chaotic scenes in the closing stages of the final, where Senegalese players briefly walked off the pitch after a disallowed goal and a penalty decision in favour of the hosts.
CAF’s Appeals Board ruled the protest admissible, stating that Senegal’s right to a fair hearing was not respected during the initial disciplinary process.
Reacting in a strongly worded statement, the FSF described the ruling as “unfair, unprecedented, and unacceptable,” warning that it damages the credibility of African football.
“The Senegalese Football Federation denounces this unfair, unprecedented, and unacceptable decision, which discredits African football,” the statement read.
The federation confirmed it will escalate the matter to CAS “as soon as possible” in a bid to defend its position and protect the interests of Senegalese football.
“The FSF reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the values of integrity and sporting justice and will keep the public informed of developments in this matter,” it added.
The disputed final, match no. 52 of the TotalEnergies AFCON Morocco 2025, has now evolved into a major legal battle, with both sides preparing for a prolonged dispute that could have significant implications for the tournament’s outcome and governance in African football.
What you should know
The CAF Appeals Board’s decision to overturn Senegal’s AFCON final victory marks a rare and controversial intervention in African football.
By awarding the match to Morocco, the ruling has triggered a legal escalation to CAS, the highest authority for resolving sports disputes globally. The outcome could set a major precedent for how disciplinary issues and match forfeitures are handled in continental competitions.
Senegal’s appeal reflects growing concerns about fairness, due process, and governance within CAF’s decision-making system.
