The Senegalese Football Federation has rejected the decision of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeal Board to award the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title to Morocco, confirming it will take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Morocco were officially crowned champions on Tuesday after CAF’s Appeal Board overturned the original result of the final against Senegal. The ruling declared that Senegal had forfeited the match following a walk-off during the game in Rabat on January 19, awarding Morocco a 3–0 victory.
The decision came after Morocco lodged a protest over chaotic scenes late in the match, when Senegalese players briefly left the pitch after a disallowed goal and a penalty awarded to the hosts. CAF ruled that the action violated Articles 82 and 84 of the competition regulations, which cover misconduct and forfeiture.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Senegalese federation said it had taken note of the Appeal Committee’s decision but strongly disagreed with it. The body explained that the appeal filed by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football was upheld, leading to the overturning of an earlier ruling by CAF’s Disciplinary Board due to a procedural flaw.
According to the federation, the Appeal Board stated that Morocco’s right to be heard was not properly respected during the initial proceedings, which justified revisiting the case. It also concluded that Senegal’s conduct during the match fell within the scope of Articles 82 and 84, resulting in the forfeiture decision.
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However, the Senegalese federation condemned the verdict, describing it as unfair and damaging to the credibility of African football.
It confirmed that it would file an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland, in a bid to overturn the ruling and defend the interests of Senegalese football.
The federation reaffirmed its commitment to fairness and due process, stating that it would keep the public updated as the legal process unfolds.
