Senegal plan to parade the Africa Cup of Nations trophy before their game against Peru in Paris on Saturday, with the head of the country's Football Federation vowing a crusade against the decision to strip the team of the title.
The Lions of Teranga claimed their second Afcon title on 18 January when they beat hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time. However, following the final, the match ended in chaos as Senegal players walked off the pitch after Morocco was awarded a controversial stoppage-time penalty while the score was still level.
Last week, the Confederation of African Football (Caf) overturned that result, awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory. This led Senegal to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas), who confirmed receipt of the appeal and promised to rule as swiftly as possible.
FSF president Abdoulaye Fall expressed outrage at the decision, labeling it the most blatant and unprecedented administrative robbery in the history of our sport during a media conference in Paris, reassuring that Senegal will not accept this ruling.
As part of their defiance, the federation has scheduled a trophy parade as part of their events surrounding Saturday's friendly match. Fall emphasized that Senegal will not bend the knee and will not compromise its values, stressing that the fight is now about more than football.
The controversy stems from accusations of improper conduct during the final match, with Morocco's football federation claiming that Senegal's premature exit negatively impacted the game's integrity. As the dispute continues, with allegations of potential corruption leveled at Caf, the future of the title remains uncertain, resting now in the hands of Cas.
Lawyers representing Senegal have characterized the stripping of the title as blatant, absurd, and irrational, arguing that this unprecedented ruling is a grave infringement on the rights of the national football body. The ongoing battle reflects deeper issues within sports governance and the integrity of administrative procedures.
Despite Caf's recent updates listing Morocco as the titleholder for the 2025 Afcon, Senegal insists on their rightful claim to the championship, with the planned parade serving as a potent symbol of their resistance and perseverance in the face of adversity.
