The Senegalese Football Federation has strongly rejected a decision by the Confederation of African Football Appeal Board to award the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final to Morocco, describing the ruling as “unfair, unprecedented, and unacceptable” as it prepares to challenge the verdict at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
In a formal statement issued on Tuesday, the federation confirmed it had received notification of the CAF Appeal Board’s decision in case DC23316, which stemmed from a complaint lodged during the AFCON 2025 final between Senegal and Morocco. The board upheld an appeal filed by Morocco, overturning an earlier ruling by CAF’s Disciplinary Jury.
CAF’s Appeal Board ruled that Senegal’s conduct during the match breached Articles 82 and 84 of the tournament regulations. As a result, the match was declared forfeited, with a 3–0 scoreline awarded in favour of Morocco under Article 84, effectively handing the title to the North African side.
Explaining the basis of its decision, the Appeal Board determined that the initial disciplinary ruling had failed to respect the appellant’s right to be heard, prompting its annulment and a reassessment of the case. The subsequent findings led to sanctions against Senegal, including the forfeiture of the final.
However, Senegal’s football authorities have fiercely contested both the process and the outcome. “The Senegalese Football Federation denounces a decision that is unfair, unprecedented, and unacceptable, which brings disrepute to African football,” the statement said.
The federation confirmed it will escalate the dispute to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, seeking to overturn CAF’s ruling and defend what it described as the interests of Senegalese football. “To defend its rights and the interests of Senegalese football, the Federation will, as soon as possible, initiate an appeal procedure before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne,” the statement added.
The controversy marks one of the most significant legal disputes in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations, raising broader questions about governance, disciplinary procedures and fairness within African football’s top competition.
Despite the escalating row, the Senegalese federation reaffirmed its commitment to the principles of integrity and sporting justice, pledging to keep the public informed as the legal process unfolds. “The FSF reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the values of integrity and sporting justice and will keep the public informed of further developments in this matter,” the statement concluded.
