Senegal FA To Appeal AFCON Strip, Calls CAF Decision ‘Shame For Africa’

Last Updated:March 18, 2026, 2:56 PM IST

CAF stated that the appeals committee had ruled that Senegal were declared to have forfeited the game due to their early walkout and that their 1-0 triumph had become a 3-0 defeat.

FILE – Senegal supporters protest after a controversial penalty was awarded to Morocco during the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco on Jan. 18, 2026, in Rabat, Morocco. (AP Photo/Youssef Loulidi, File)

In a landmark move, Morocco were awarded the African Cup of Nations title on Tuesday after Senegal were declared to have forfeited the game when they walked off the field in disgruntlement before the conclusion of the final, before they eventually came back out onto the field to complete the game, which they ended up winning 1-0.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) stated that the appeals committee had ruled that Senegal were declared to have forfeited the game due to their early walkout and that their 1-0 triumph had become a 3-0 defeat.

Secretary general of the Senegalese Football Federation, Abdoulaye Seydou Sow, stated that they would file an appeal against the decision to strip them of the title and award it to Morocco.

“We will not back down. The law is on our side,” Sow said.

“This decision is a travesty that rests on no legal basis. We felt that the panel was not there to apply the law, but to carry out an order,” Sow said.

Article 28 of the tournament regulations state that, “if, for any reason whatsoever, a team withdraws from the competition or does not report for a match, or refuses to play or leaves the ground before the regular end of the match without the authorization of the referee, it shall be considered loser and shall be eliminated for good from the current competition.”

In the final held in Rabat in January, Senegal’s players, led by coach Pape Thiaw, left the field in protest for 15 minutes during stoppage time after Morocco were awarded a penalty that would determine the match, prompting fans to attempt to storm the field.

When play resumed, Morocco forward Brahim Diaz stepped up to take the penalty and came up with a Panenka, which was saved by goalkeeper Edouard Mendy in a twist of fate before Senegal went on to score the only goal in extra time.

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