Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: THE Senegalese government has called for an “independent international investigation” into “suspected corruption” at African football’s governing body after it stripped Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title and awarded it to Morocco.
Senegal beat Morocco 1-0 in January’s final but the Confederation of African Football (Caf) overturned the result on March 17 because Senegal’s players walked off the pitch in protest when hosts Morocco were awarded a stoppage-time penalty.
The players returned after a 17-minute delay, and Brahim Diaz’s ‘Panenka’ penalty for Morocco was saved before Senegal’s Pape Gueye scored an extra-time winner.
Following an appeal by the Moroccan FA (FRMF), Caf ruled that Senegal had forfeited the match, with the “result being recorded as 3-0 in favour” of Morocco. In a statement the Senegalese government said the “unprecedented and exceptionally serious decision” was based on “a manifestly erroneous interpretation of the regulations, leading to a grossly illegal and deeply unjust decision”.
It said: “Senegal unequivocally rejects this unjustified attempt at dispossession.” The Senegalese Football Federation said it would appeal against Caf’s decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas), calling it “an unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable decision which brings discredit to African football”.
Some Senegal players have suggested they will not relinquish their winners’ medals.
During the tournament there was much debate about refereeing decisions, with accusations from some journalists that Morocco was treated favourably by some officials.
