By our reporter 18.3.2026
Senegal Football Federation has described the CAF Appeal Board’s ruling stripping the Teranga Lions of the Africa Cup of Nations title as an unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable decision, and would be heading to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to challenge it.
On Tuesday CAF shocked football enthusiasts across the African continent and beyond with the ruling by its Appeal Board that the Senegalese team violated Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON rules by abandoning the final of the 2025 AFCON. The Appeal Board ruled that Senegal by doing so forfeited the game and Morocco are winners with a 3-0 scoreline.
The decision is hinged on the Royal Moroccan Football Federation appeal of the CAF disciplinary committee ruling, which earlier thrown out Morocco’s protest and imposed fines on the Morocco and Senegal federations for the chaotic scene that marred the final of the AFCON on January 18, 2026.
The match was held up for 15 minutes when Senegal protested a penalty awarded against them in stoppage time after a goal they scored was disallowed. Senegal players returned to the pitch to play and eventually won the game.
“The Senegalese Football Federation has today taken note of the notification of the decision rendered on March 17, 2026 by the Appeals Committee of the Confederation of African Football, in the context of case DC23316,” said the federation in a statement Wednesday.
“The Senegalese Football Federation denounces an unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable decision that discredits African football.
“To defend its rights and the interests of Senegalese football, the Federation will initiate, as soon as possible, an appeal procedure before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
“The FSF reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the values of integrity and sporting justice and will keep the public informed of the follow-up to this matter.”