The Government of Senegal has stepped up its war with the African football Confederation and called for an international probe into what it described as corruption following a contentious ruling in the AFCON title battle.
This argument comes after CAF disqualified Senegal for the 2025 AFCON title awarding it to Morocco, overriding a decision that was already made and completed in the field.
Senegal beat Morocco 1-0 after extra-time in Rabat, after a late protest from players during a game, where players walked off in disapproval of a penalty decision, before returning to the field to finish the game.
The CAF Appeals Board ruled later on that walkout by players during the game would be classified as a violation of the rules of the competition and disqualified Senegal in favor of Morocco in a 3-0 defeat.
There was a strong reaction politically in Dakar to the decision.
The government declared the decision “illegal” and “grossly unfair” and appealed to an external international panel of investigators to probe the decision by the Confederation of African Football.
Central to this rising defiance is the leading figure of Senegalese football, Abdoulaye Sow, who insists that CAF have no authority on the trophy:
“The trophy will not leave the country,” insisted Sow as pressure mounted for Senegal to surrender their prize, as all the country’s leaders refused to recognize Morocco as champions pending the resolution of the dispute.
The Senegalese FA has also agreed and stated they will go to the court of Arbitration for Sport to claim that the match was concluded according to the referee and should not be overturned administratively.
The debate has thus raised deeper concerns over the running of African Football, with claims of favouritism and lack of transparency now on the forefront of discussion.
CAF has yet to respond to these new allegations of corruption.
