On Wednesday, March 18, 2026, the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) issued a blistering response to the CAF Appeal Board's decision to strip them of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title. In an official statement, the FSF condemned the ruling as a "travesty" that "discredits African football" and confirmed an immediate appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland.
The federation maintains that the retrospective 3-0 forfeit awarded to Morocco lacks any legal foundation, setting the stage for one of the most significant legal battles in the history of the sport.
"Unfair, Unprecedented, and Unacceptable"
The FSF statement, released overnight, did not mince words regarding the March 17 ruling:
Denouncing the Verdict: The federation described the decision as "unfair, unprecedented, and unacceptable," arguing that it undermines the integrity and credibility of continental football.
Commitment to Justice: "The FSF reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the values of integrity and sporting justice, and will keep the public informed of developments in this matter," the statement read.
Defending the Title: FSF Secretary General Abdoulaye Seydou Sow told public broadcasters that the ruling is a "shame for Africa" and insisted that "the law is on Senegal's side".
The Legal Argument: "Abandonment" vs. "Interruption"
The core of the dispute at CAS will likely center on the interpretation of Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON Regulations:
CAF's Stance: The Appeal Board ruled that by walking off the pitch for nearly 20 minutes in protest of a late penalty, Senegal effectively "forfeited" the match, which mandates a 3-0 loss regardless of the eventual extra-time result.
Senegal's Defense: Legal experts for the FSF are expected to argue that because the team resumed play—after captain Sadio Mané persuaded his teammates to return—the incident should be classified as "unsportsmanlike behavior" or a "temporary interruption" rather than a total abandonment.
Procedural Flaws: The FSF also noted that the Appeal Board only re-examined the case because it claimed Morocco's "right to be heard" was violated in the initial disciplinary hearing, a procedural technicality Senegal believes was used to reach a predetermined outcome.
Reaction from the "Lions of Teranga"
While the federation prepares its legal brief, the players have begun to voice their frustration:
Sadio Mané: The captain issued a statement saying, "What happened has gone too far. This is not the football we fight for, not the Africa we believe in".
Moussa Niakhaté: The defender posted a defiant photo of himself lifting the trophy with the caption, "They're mad," in an apparent jab at CAF officials.
Supporters' Plight: The legal drama coincides with the postponement of an appeal for 18 Senegalese fans currently imprisoned in Morocco for "hooliganism" following the January final; their hearing is now set for March 30.
Read also: Morocco Declared AFCON 2025 Champions After Senegal Forfeit Ruling
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