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The Senegalese government has called for an independent international investigation into the Confederation of African Football (CAF) following its decision to strip Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title. CAF awarded the trophy to Morocco, overturning Senegal’s 1-0 victory in the January final. The ruling stems from a protest during the match where Senegalese players walked off the pitch for 17 minutes after a controversial stoppage-time penalty was awarded to Morocco.
Following an appeal by the Moroccan FA (FRMF), Caf ruled that Senegal had forfeited the match, with the "result being recorded as 3-0 in favour" of Morocco.
In a statement the Senegalese government said the "unprecedented and exceptionally serious decision" was based on "a manifestly erroneous interpretation of the regulations, leading to a grossly illegal and deeply unjust decision".
It said: "Senegal unequivocally rejects this unjustified attempt at dispossession.”
In a statement on Wednesday, FRMF said it "welcomes" the ruling by Caf, which "upholds respect for rules that are necessary for the proper functioning of international competition."
It added: "This decision helps to clarify the framework applicable to similar situations in the future and contributes to the consistency and credibility of international competitions, particularly African football."
Caf president Dr Patrice Motsepe said the incidents that took place during the final undermined the work the body had done to ensure "integrity, respect, ethics, governance, as well as credibility of the results of our football matches".
"It is important that the decisions of our Caf disciplinary board and the Caf appeals board are viewed with the respect and integrity that is very important to us," he added.
"Not a single country in Africa will be treated in a manner which is more preferential or more advantageous or more favourable than any other.”
Earlier on Wednesday, the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) said it would appeal against Caf's decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas), calling it "an unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable decision which brings discredit to African football".
