Senegalese president defies CAF ruling, posts photo reaffirming AFCON 2025 victory
Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has signalled continued defiance of the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) decision to award the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title to Morocco
Diomaye Faye updated his profile picture on Facebook with a photo showing the AFCON trophy behind him.
The move comes as Senegal pushes back against CAF’s appeal ruling and prepares to take the dispute to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Senegal’s football federation has said it will challenge the decision after CAF overturned the result of the final against Morocco.
CAF, in a ruling issued March 17, 2026, said it upheld an appeal filed by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) relating to Match No. 52 of AFCON Morocco 2025. The CAF Appeals Jury declared Morocco’s appeal admissible and overturned an earlier decision by CAF’s Disciplinary Jury on procedural grounds, saying Morocco’s right to be heard had not been respected during the initial proceedings.
After reviewing the case, CAF said Senegal’s conduct during the final breached Articles 82 and 84 of the tournament regulations, which deal with misconduct and forfeiture. CAF ruled that Senegal forfeited the match and recorded the final as a 3 - 0 win for Morocco, effectively handing the hosts the title.
The controversy stems from chaotic scenes late in the final in Rabat on January 19, when Senegalese players briefly left the pitch after a disallowed goal and a penalty awarded to Morocco. CAF’s appeal body said the walk-off amounted to a forfeitable offence under the rules.
Senegal’s federation has rejected the ruling and vowed to seek relief at CAS. Senegalese officials have also indicated they will not return the trophy while the case is pending, insisting the matter should be settled through international arbitration.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
