Senegal To Challenge CAF Decision After Being Stripped Of AFCON Title – Eduzim News

Sports Correspondent – Senegal have announced that they will challenge the decision to strip them of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title after a controversial ruling by the Confederation of African Football’s Appeals Board.

The West African side, known as the Teranga Lions, were stripped of the trophy after CAF ruled that the team breached Article 84 of the AFCON regulations during the dramatic final against Morocco.

According to the ruling, Senegal forfeited the match after head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw led a protest following the awarding of a late penalty to Morocco in stoppage time.

In the chaos that followed, Thiaw reportedly instructed his players to walk off the pitch before captain Sadio Mané intervened and persuaded the squad to return to the field.

Morocco’s Ibrahim Díaz eventually stepped up to take the penalty after a prolonged delay, but Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy saved the spot-kick.

Despite the disruption, Senegal went on to win the match 1–0 in extra time, sparking celebrations among their supporters.

However, CAF later ruled that the protest and temporary walk-off amounted to a breach of tournament rules.

In a shocking verdict, the Appeals Board awarded the final to Morocco on a 3–0 scoreline, effectively stripping Senegal of the title.

The Senegalese Football Federation has strongly condemned the decision and confirmed it will escalate the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne.

“The Senegalese Football Federation condemns this unjust, unprecedented and unacceptable decision, which brings African football into disrepute,” the federation said in a statement.

“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 (CAS) in Lausanne.”

The move sets the stage for a potentially lengthy legal battle that could determine the final outcome of one of the most controversial AFCON finals in recent history.

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