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AFCON: Senegal to appeal to CAS after 'unjust, unprecedented decision' sees 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title stripped and handed to Morocco

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Senegal will appeal the decision to award the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title to Morocco, with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) set to make a decision on who will be crowned AFCON champions. Senegal initially won the final 1-0, before CAF upheld Morocco’s appeal, handing the hosts the title by a scoreline of 3-0. The Senegalese government has branded CAF's decision as "grossly illegal".

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Who won the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is set to remain up in the air a little longer, with Senegal taking the controversial decision to hand the title to Morocco to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Senegal originally won the final in extra-time 1-0, and were awarded the trophy and crowned champions.

But Morocco appealed the decision, based on the fact Senegal walked off the field of play during the final itself.

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Tuesday saw the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announce that, as a result of that moment in the final, Senegal had forfeited the result - therefore handing the title to Morocco.

But, following that announcement, Senegal announced they will appeal the decision, taking the matter to CAS.

The Senegalese Football Federation have called this an "unjust, unprecedented, and unacceptable decision," and stated that they will "defend their rights and the interests of Senegalese football".

The statement read: "The Senegalese Football Federation was informed today of the notification of the decision issued on March 17, 2026, by the CAF Appeals Committee in case DC23316.

"By this decision, the CAF Appeals Panel declared the appeal filed by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation admissible and upheld it.

"In doing so, the Panel overturned the decision previously rendered by the CAF Disciplinary Panel on the grounds that the appellant’s right to be heard had not been respected during the first-instance proceedings.

"CAF ruled that the FSF had violated Article 82 and declared Senegal to have forfeited the match, with a score of 3-0 recorded in favour of the FRMF, pursuant to Article 84.

"The Senegalese Football Federation denounces this as an unjust, unprecedented, and unacceptable decision that brings African football into disrepute.

"To defend its rights and the interests of Senegalese football, the Federation will, as soon as possible, file an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne.

"The FSF reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the values of integrity and sporting justice, and will keep the public informed of further developments in this matter."

The whole saga began in a heated final, when Ismaila Sarr had a late goal disallowed for Senegal.

Just moments later, and into stoppage time, Morocco were awarded a penalty with the help of VAR - and the combination of these two decisions aggrieved Senegal enough for the players to walk off the field - encouraged by head coach Pape Thiaw.

The players eventually returned, but Brahim Diaz missed the penalty in quite some style for Morocco as his attempted Panenka was caught by goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, to leave the score at 0-0.

The match then went into extra-time and Pape Gueye scored the game's only goal, which saw Senegal crowned continental champions for the second time.

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However, Morocco appealed the result, and CAF ruled in their favour - citing Article 84 in the decision to award the match to Morocco by a scoreline of 3-0.

But any joy for Morocco could potentially be short-lived, with Senegal now taking the decision all the way to CAS.

As such, the winners of the 2025 AFCON trophy remains a mystery for the time being. If the result stands, it would be Morocco's second AFCON title, and first since 1976.

The result "undermines" sporting ethics

In addition to the statement from the Senegalese Football Federation, the government released their own response via social media.

The statement read: "This unprecedented decision, of exceptional gravity, directly undermines the core principles that uphold sporting ethics, foremost among them fairness, integrity, and respect for the truth on the field.

"It stems from a manifestly erroneous interpretation of the regulations, leading to a grossly illegal and profoundly unjust ruling.

"By calling into question a result obtained at the end of a match that was duly completed and won in accordance with the rules of the game, CAF seriously damages its own credibility as well as the legitimate trust that African peoples place in continental sports institutions.

"Senegal cannot tolerate an administrative decision erasing commitment, merit, and sporting excellence.

"Senegal unequivocally rejects this unjustified attempt at dispossession. It calls for the opening of an independent international investigation into suspected corruption within CAF’s governing bodies.

"The Government takes this opportunity to reaffirm the nation’s solidarity with Senegalese citizens detained in Morocco following the incidents during the AFCON final. It remains fully engaged in monitoring this matter to ensure a positive outcome as soon as possible.

"Senegal will remain determined, vigilant, and unwavering in defending the rights of the Senegalese national team and restoring the honour of African sport."

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