Senegal To Flaunt 2025 AFCON Trophy In Paris Despite Morocco Legal Clash

According to Ireporter Online, the Senegal national football team is set to parade the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy ahead of Saturday’s friendly against Peru in Paris, even as the 2025 title dispute heads to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

The trophy presentation is scheduled to take place at the Stade de France, despite a ruling by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) that stripped Senegal of the title and awarded a 3-0 victory to Morocco. CAS confirmed on Tuesday that it has received Senegal’s appeal and will issue a ruling as swiftly as possible.

Abdoulaye Fall, president of the Senegalese Football Federation, described CAF’s decision as “the most blatant and unprecedented administrative robbery in the history of our sport,” adding that Senegal “will not bend the knee and will not compromise its values. Our fight now transcends the football pitch.”

Senegal had initially claimed the tournament on 18 January after defeating Morocco 1-0 in extra time in a final that was marred by chaotic scenes. The Senegalese players left the pitch late in the match after Morocco was awarded a stoppage-time penalty with the scores level.

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation lodged a complaint with CAF and FIFA, claiming that the walk-off “greatly affected the normal course of the match and the players’ morale.” CAF’s disciplinary committee initially rejected Morocco’s protest but issued sanctions to both teams, including a five-match ban for Senegal coach Pape Thiaw. Morocco appealed, arguing that the penalties did not match the severity of the incidents.

On 17 March, CAF’s appeal board ruled that Senegal had violated competition regulations. Under Article 82, any team leaving the pitch without the referee’s permission is considered to have forfeited the match.

The Senegalese government has called for an investigation into suspected corruption within CAF. CAF president Patrice Motsepe denied the allegations, emphasizing the independence of the appeals process.