The Fédération Sénégalaise de Football has rejected the ruling of the Confederation of African Football Appeal Board that awarded the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title to Morocco following Senegal’s forfeiture in the final. The Senegalese federation confirmed it will challenge the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Morocco were declared champions after CAF ruled that Senegal’s walk off during the final in Rabat on January 19 constituted a breach of Articles 82 and 84 of AFCON regulations on misconduct and forfeiture. CAF officially recorded the result as 3 0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football.
In its statement Senegal’s football governing body criticised the decision as unfair unprecedented and damaging to the credibility of African football. The federation argued that CAF’s Appeals Board overturned the Disciplinary Board ruling citing procedural flaws and a failure to respect the appellant’s right to be heard during the initial proceedings.
“The Appeals Committee determined that the conduct of the Senegal national team fell under Articles 82 and 84 of the Africa Cup of Nations regulations. Consequently the match was awarded by forfeit with a recorded score of 3 0 in favour of Morocco,” the statement read.
The federation affirmed its commitment to due process and sporting justice, promising to keep the public informed as the appeal at CAS progresses. Senegal’s appeal aims to defend its rights and safeguard the integrity of its national football team against what it considers a contentious ruling.
The case marks another high profile dispute in African football highlighting the challenges of regulation enforcement and procedural fairness in continental tournaments.
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