Senegal players with the Senegal president
Senegal has demanded an independent international probe into alleged corruption within the Confederation of African Football (CAF) after the governing body stripped the country of its Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title and awarded it to Morocco.
The controversy follows CAF’s decision on Tuesday to overturn Senegal’s 1-0 victory over Morocco in the January 18 final in Rabat, citing rules violations after Senegalese players briefly walked off the pitch in protest over a late penalty awarded to the hosts.
Despite returning to the field after being persuaded by captain Sadio Mané, Senegal held firm as Morocco missed the penalty, before Pape Gueye scored the decisive goal in extra time.
However, CAF ruled that Senegal had forfeited the match due to the temporary walk-off, awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory after reviewing an appeal lodged by the North African side.
Reacting to the decision, Senegal’s government strongly criticised CAF, warning of serious implications for the integrity of African football.
“By calling into question a result achieved at the end of a match that was properly played and won in accordance with the rules of the game, the CAF seriously undermines its own credibility,” government spokeswoman Marie Rose Khady Fatou Faye said.
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She added: “Senegal unequivocally rejects this unjustified attempt at dispossession,” and called for “an independent international investigation into suspected corruption within the CAF’s governing bodies.”
CAF, in its ruling, stated that “the Senegal national team is declared to have forfeited the match” and confirmed the result would be “officially recorded as 3-0” in favour of Morocco.
Describing the decision as “a grossly illegal and profoundly unjust decision,” Faye said Senegal would challenge the ruling through all available legal channels.
“Senegal will pursue all appropriate legal avenues, including before the competent international courts, to ensure that justice is served and that the primacy of sporting results is restored,” she said.
The Senegalese Football Federation has also confirmed it will file an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
In a statement, the federation said it “condemns this unjust, unprecedented and unacceptable decision, which brings African football into disrepute,” adding that the appeal process would begin “as soon as possible.”
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