The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) says it has initiated an appeal against CAF’s decision that stripped the country of the 2025 AFCON title and named Morocco champions.
In a landmark decision on Tuesday, the CAF Appeals Board ruled that the Senegal national team had forfeited the AFCON final after several players walked off the pitch to their dressing room in protest of a referee’s decision.
The ruling said Senegal had breached Articles 82 and 84 of AFCON regulations when they staged a walkout during the game.
The verdict was made while addressing Morocco’s appeal challenging an initial decision by CAF’s Disciplinary Committee, which had dismissed the country’s plea to overturn the match.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Senegalese FA says the latest ruling by the Appeals Board “discredits African football”.
The federation added that it will “initiate an appeal as soon as possible before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne”.
“The Senegalese Football Federation denounces this unfair, unprecedented, and unacceptable decision, which discredits African football,” the statement reads.
“To defend its rights and the interests of Senegalese football, the federation will initiate an appeal as soon as possible before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne.
“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 CAF Appeals Board is a nine-member team headed by Roli Daibo Harriman, a Nigerian judge.
Read The Statement Below
COMMUNIQUÉ
The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has taken note today of the notification of the decision delivered on March 17, 2026, by the Appeals Jury of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), in connection with case DC23316. This procedure follows a complaint filed during match No. 52 of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Morocco 2025, opposing Senegal and Morocco.
By this decision, the CAF Appeals Jury declared the appeal of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) admissible and upheld it. In doing so, the body annulled the decision previously rendered by the CAF Disciplinary Jury on the grounds that the right of the appealing party to be heard had not been respected during the initial proceedings.
The Appeals Jury further considered that the conduct of the Senegal team fell under Articles 82 and 84 of the Africa Cup of Nations regulations. Consequently, CAF ruled that the FSF had breached Article 82 and imposed a forfeit loss on Senegal, with a score of 3-0 awarded in favor of the FRMF, in application of Article 84.
The Senegalese Football Federation condemns this decision as unfair, unprecedented, and unacceptable, stating that it tarnishes the image of African football.
To defend its rights and the interests of Senegalese football, the Federation will, as soon as possible, initiate an appeal before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne.
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.
Done in Dakar, March 17, 2026
The Secretary General