In response to the decision to revoke their Africa Cup of Nations title, the Senegal national team officially released a statement through the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF), condemning the unjust, unprecedented, and unacceptable ruling, and announcing that they will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) as soon as possible.
Statement from the Senegalese Football Federation:
The Senegalese Football Federation has today been informed of the ruling notification issued by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeal Board on March 17, 2026, in case DC23316. This procedure stems from a protest filed during the 52nd match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco between Senegal and Morocco.
Pursuant to this decision, the CAF Appeal Board ruled that the appeal lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) is admissible in form and the appeal is upheld. The Appeal Board set aside the original ruling of the CAF Disciplinary Board on the grounds that the right to be heard of the appellant was not respected in the first-instance proceedings.
The Appeal Board further determined that the conduct of the Senegal national team falls within the scope of Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations. Consequently, CAF ruled that Senegal violated Article 82 and, in accordance with Article 84, sentenced the Senegal national team to a forfeit of the match, with the result recorded as a 0-3 defeat and Morocco declared the winner.
The Senegalese Football Federation strongly condemns this unfair, unprecedented, and unacceptable ruling, which has damaged the reputation of African football.
To safeguard its own rights and interests and those of Senegalese football, the Senegalese Football Federation will initiate appeal proceedings before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne as soon as possible.
The Senegalese Football Federation reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the values of sports integrity and fairness, and will keep the public informed of subsequent developments in this matter.
Dakar, March 17, 2026
Signed by the Secretary-General
