Senegal responds to CAF over 2025 AFCON win nullification

After the Confederation of African Football (CAF) ruled and declared Morocco’s men’s team as winners of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Senegalese side has reacted.

In a statement sighted by GhanaWeb on X on March 17, 2026, the Senegalese side described CAF’s decision as unfair and disappointing.

According to the statement, the ruling is unprecedented and an “insult” to African football.

“The Senegalese Football Federation denounces this unfair, unprecedented, and unacceptable decision, which discredits African football,” the statement read.

The federation further indicated that it will appeal CAF’s decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

“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,” it added.

Background

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) on March 17, 2026, declared the Moroccan men's national team the winner of the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

CAF declares Morocco 2025 AFCON champions

This was after the CAF Appeal Board ruled that Senegal, which won the final match of the AFCON, forfeited the match when its players walked off for several minutes.

A statement issued by CAF also indicated that the ruling of the board was on an appeal by the Moroccan Football Federation – the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) – for Senegal's win of the AFCON to be nullified because of their walk-off during the final match.

The CAF Appeal Board ruled in favour of the FRMF, with the result of the match being recorded as 3–0 against Senegal.

Read the full statement below:

Communiqué de la FSF relatif à la notification de la décision rendue le 17 mars 2026 par le Jury d'Appel de la Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF). 👇 pic.twitter.com/b0xxQsMQWU

— Equipe du Sénégal (@GaindeYi) March 18, 2026