Senegal Government Demands Investigation After CAF Strips AFCON 2025 Title

The government of Senegal has escalated its response to a controversial decision by the Confederation of African Football to strip the national team of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title and award it to Morocco.

In an official statement, Senegalese authorities expressed strong dissatisfaction with the ruling issued by CAF’s Appeals Committee, describing it as unprecedented and a serious violation of sporting integrity. 

The government argued that the decision undermines the credibility of African football institutions and distorts competition regulations.

“This decision damages the spirit of the game and harms the credibility of CAF,” the statement said, adding that it represents a clear misinterpretation of the rules and an unjust outcome for the Senegal national team, which had originally secured victory on the pitch.

Senegal firmly rejected what it called an administrative attempt to overturn a legitimate sporting achievement, stressing that it would not accept the withdrawal of a title earned through fair competition. Authorities also called for an independent international investigation into alleged corruption within CAF linked to the ruling.

The government further announced its intention to pursue all available legal avenues at the international level to restore what it described as “sporting justice.” It also confirmed full support for Senegalese citizens reportedly detained in Morocco following incidents related to the final, pledging to ensure a swift and positive resolution.

CAF, for its part, confirmed that its Appeals Committee had revised the final result of the tournament’s decisive match, awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory by default. 

The decision followed a formal complaint and was based on disciplinary regulations, with the governing body citing serious violations that affected the continuation of the game.

The final had been marred by controversy in its closing stages, including protests from Senegal players over a penalty decision following a VAR review. The disruption ultimately played a central role in CAF’s ruling.

While the Appeals Committee’s decision is final within CAF, the case may still be taken to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, offering Senegal a potential path to challenge the outcome on the global stage.