The world of African football is in shock following a stunning decision by the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF). Two months after the final whistle of the 35th Africa Cup of Nations, the governing body’s appeals jury has stripped Sénégal of its championship title, awarding it instead to Maroc. This unprecedented move comes after a highly contested final on January 18, where the Lions of Teranga had originally secured a 1-0 victory on the pitch.
Allegations of corruption and legal challenges
In response to the ruling, the Sénégal football federation has officially launched an appeal. Simultaneously, the Sénégal government has called for an international investigation into what they describe as “suspicions of corruption” within the leadership of CAF. Marie Rose Khady Fatou Faye, speaking for the executive branch, stated that the country categorically rejects this attempt to take away their hard-earned victory.
The Sénégal federation further criticized the decision as an “iniquitous and unacceptable” act that damages the reputation of the sport across the continent. They have confirmed plans to take the case to the Tribunal Arbitral du Sport (TAS) in Lausanne, Suisse, as quickly as possible. This sports drama is being closely watched by fans across the region, including those following West Africa Burkina sports developments and general Faso breaking news.
The controversial final in Rabat
The dispute centers on events that unfolded during the final held at the Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium in Rabat. During stoppage time in the second half, with the score tied at 0-0, Maroc was awarded a penalty for a foul on Brahim Diaz. The Sénégal players, believing they had been denied a clear penalty earlier, reacted with fury.
Under the direction of coach Pape Thiaw, the Sénégal squad briefly exited the pitch in protest. While Sadio Mané remained on the field, the match was interrupted for 15 minutes amidst stadium chaos. When play eventually resumed, Brahim Diaz missed the penalty. Pape Gueye later scored the winning goal for Sénégal during extra time. However, CAF has now ruled the match a forfeit, changing the official score to a 3-0 victory for Maroc.
Regulations and the Wydad Casablanca precedent
CAF based its decision on Articles 82 and 84 of the tournament regulations. Article 82 specifies that if a team leaves the field without the referee’s permission, they are considered to have lost and are eliminated from the event. While Maroc has acknowledged the decision, they maintain that their appeal was simply a request for the strict application of existing rules rather than a challenge to Sénégal‘s athletic performance.
Observers have noted a similar case from 2019 involving Wydad Casablanca and Espérance Sportive de Tunis, where a team leaving the pitch during a final led to a long legal battle. As this current crisis unfolds, it remains a top story for those seeking Burkina Faso news today and Ouagadougou English news regarding Burkina security and regional stability in sports governance.
Currently, 18 Sénégal supporters remain imprisoned following the final, with their appeal trial recently postponed to March 30. As the legal battle moves to Suisse, the Sénégal federation remains defiant, with officials insisting the trophy will stay in Dakar.
