The Senegal government has demanded an independent international investigation into alleged corruption at the Confederation of African Football (Caf) after Senegal was stripped of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title and awarded to Morocco.
Senegal defeated Morocco 1-0 in the January final, but Caf overturned the result after Senegalese players briefly walked off the pitch in protest against a last-minute penalty awarded to Morocco. The team returned after 17 minutes, and Senegal even scored an extra-time winner. However, Caf later recorded the match as a 3-0 victory for Morocco following an appeal by the Moroccan Football Association.
The Senegalese government condemned the decision, calling it “unprecedented and exceptionally serious” and accusing Caf of a “grossly illegal and deeply unjust” ruling. Senegal’s Football Federation (FSF) said it will appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas), insisting the fight is “far from over.” Players like Idrissa Gueye have declared they will not relinquish their winners’ medals.
The controversy has triggered broader debates about governance in African football. Caf also partially upheld Morocco’s appeal regarding ball-boy incidents during the final and reduced fines previously issued, leading some observers to cite potential political interference, as Morocco’s FA president is also a senior Caf official.
Historical examples of walk-offs in football, from the 1920 Antwerp Olympics to recent Champions League and African Super Cup matches, show that while rare, players leaving the field in protest has precedent — yet sanctions and rulings often spark controversy.
As the appeal process unfolds, the Senegal-Morocco final has become a flashpoint, raising concerns about fairness, refereeing, and the integrity of African football on the international stage.
