Senegal has called for an independent international
investigation following the controversial decision by the Confederation of
African Football to strip the country of its 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title
and award the victory to Morocco national football team.
The dispute traces back to the final held in Rabat on
January 18, when Senegalese players briefly walked off the pitch in protest
after Morocco was awarded a late penalty in stoppage time. The team returned
following intervention from captain Sadio Mané, and Senegal initially secured a
1-0 win through Pape Gueye’s extra-time goal.
On March 17, CAF upheld an appeal by Morocco, ruling
that Senegal forfeited the match due to the walk-off and recording the final
score as a 3-0 win for Morocco.
Reacting to the decision, Senegal’s government,
through spokeswoman Marie Rose Khady Fatou Faye, condemned the ruling as
“grossly illegal and profoundly unjust,” stating that CAF had undermined its
own credibility. She affirmed that Senegal “unequivocally rejects this
unjustified attempt at dispossession.”
The government confirmed plans to pursue legal action,
including appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport within 48 hours. The
Senegalese Football Federation has also requested CAF suspend enforcement of
the decision and halt any return of the trophy pending arbitration outcomes.
Complicating matters, 18 Senegalese fans were detained
in Morocco following unrest during the match and were later convicted in
February on charges including violence against security personnel and property
damage, receiving sentences ranging from three months to a year along with
fines.
Senegal reiterated its support for the detained
citizens and affirmed its commitment to resolving both the legal and diplomatic
aspects of the crisis.
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