Senegal demands international probe into CAF’s handling of CAN 2025 final

The Senegalese government has swiftly responded to the Confederation of African Football (CAF)‘s decision to declare Senegal forfeited from the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 final, awarding the trophy to Morocco instead.

The government issued a statement describing the ruling as « an unprecedented and exceptionally grave decision that fundamentally contradicts the core principles of sportsmanship, including fairness, integrity, and respect for on-field reality. »

Senegal has unequivocally rejected what it calls « an unjust attempt to strip the team of its rightful achievement » and is calling for an independent international investigation into « alleged corruption within CAF’s leadership. »

The government also emphasized its commitment to monitoring the situation of Senegalese supporters currently detained in Morocco following the controversial final, while vowing to « vigorously defend the rights of the national team and restore the honor of African football. »

what the caf decided

Morocco was awarded the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title after CAF annulled the result of the final following Senegal’s controversial abandonment. The Senegalese team had defeated Morocco 1-0 in regulation time on January 18, during a match that saw Senegalese players initially refuse to resume play after a contentious penalty was awarded in stoppage time.

The game resumed after about 17 minutes, and although Morocco’s penalty was saved by Senegalese goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, Pape Gueye scored the winning goal in extra time, securing Senegal’s second continental title in five years.

However, the result was later overturned by the CAF Appeals Jury, which ruled that Senegal had violated Article 82 of the competition’s regulations by leaving the field before the match ended. Morocco’s appeal was deemed formally acceptable and granted.

what happened during the can final?

With the score locked at 0-0 in the 88th minute of regular time, referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded a controversial penalty to Morocco after consulting the VAR, which reviewed El Hadji Malick Diouf’s challenge on Brahim Diaz.

Pape Thiaw, Senegal’s head coach, had just seen a legitimate goal by Ismaïla Sarr disallowed minutes earlier. Furious, he ordered his team off the pitch in protest. Former Liverpool striker Sadio Mané remained on the field, attempting to persuade his teammates to return.

After 17 minutes of delay, Senegal re-entered the game. Morocco’s Diaz attempted a risky « panenka » penalty, which Mendy easily saved. Senegal went on to win in extra time through Gueye’s goal.

Despite the on-field drama, the aftermath saw widespread condemnation. Morocco’s coach Walid Regragui called Senegal’s actions « shameful » and « not worthy of Africa. » FIFA President Gianni Infantino also criticized the « deplorable scenes » on Instagram.

Senegal’s coach later apologized, admitting he should not have withdrawn his team and offered « apologies to football. » Morocco, in turn, sacked Regragui just four months before the 2026 FIFA World Cup.