CAF Appeal Board Media Statement
Confederation of African Football2 days
CAF Strips Senegal of Afcon 2025 Title, Awards It to Morocco
Did CAF make the right call stripping Senegal of the AFCON title or is this a governance disaster that CAS will overturn?
Above: Senegalese soccer star Sadio Mané holds the AFCON trophy in Rabat on Jan. 18, 2026. Image credit: Sebastien Bozon/AFP/Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
This was the right call. Senegal did violate AFCON regulations, and the rules demand a 3-0 forfeit loss, full stop. Morocco's appeal wasn't about sour grapes, but about upholding the integrity of competition rules that exist for a reason. The decision carries immediate enforcement power, and that's exactly how a legitimate governing body should operate.
Narrative B
Stripping Senegal of the AFCON title months after the trophy lift is a governance disaster. Under the Laws of the Game, the match result must be final once the referee allows the game to resume. Morocco accepted Senegal back onto the field and lost, then appealed for the trophy. History is about to repeat itself as the Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned a similar CAF overreach in 2019.
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© 2026 Improve the News Foundation. All rights reserved.Version 6.18.0
© 2026 Improve the News Foundation.
All rights reserved.
Version 6.18.0