The Senegalese government has expressed outrage at the recent decision by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to overturn results of the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Senegal beat hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time to win their second continental title.
However, on Tuesday, March 17, the CAF Appeal Board announced that it has awarded Morocco a 3-0 win, effectively declaring the Atlas Lions as champions.
This comes after an earlier ruling by the continent’s football governing body to uphold the 1-0 victory of the Teranga Lions at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Sunday, January 18.
The latest decision by the CAF Appeal Board has been rejected by Senegal with the government describing it as “unprecedented” and “grossly illegal”.
In a press release issued on Wednesday, Minister of State to the Prime Minister responsible for Relations with Institutions Marie Rose Khady Fatou FAYE stated that the decision contravenes sports ethics and undermines CAF’s credibility.
“Senegal cannot tolerate an administrative decision erasing commitment, merit, and sporting excellence,” she stated.
“It demands the opening of an independent international inquiry into suspicions of corruption within the governing bodies of the CAF,” she added.
Madam Fatou Faye furthermore indicated that Senegal will use all appropriate avenues of appeal, including before the competent international judicial bodies, so that justice may be served and the primacy of the sporting result restored.
“The government takes this opportunity to renew the solidarity of the entire nation towards the Senegalese detained in Morocco following the incidents of the CAN final.
“It is fully mobilized in monitoring this case for a happy outcome as soon as possible.”