Senegal immediately responded following CAF's decision to strip them of the AFCON 2025 title.
On 18 March 2026, the Senegal Football Federation (FSF) issued a statement after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) decided to strip Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title and award it to Morocco, their opponents in the final.
CAF explained that the reason was because Senegalese players "walked out" during the final in January to protest after the host nation Morocco was awarded a penalty during injury time, which caused a 17-minute delay in the game.
Subsequently, Senegal captain Sadio Mané persuaded his teammates to resume playing. The penalty taken by Brahim Diaz was saved, and Senegal went on to win 1-0 in extra time, securing their second AFCON title.
However, after the Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) filed an appeal, CAF ruled Senegal had violated rules by walking out, awarding a 3-0 forfeit loss to Senegal and granting the championship to Morocco instead.
Most recently, the Senegal Football Federation (FSF) announced plans to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), stating: "This decision is unfair, unprecedented, and unacceptable, damaging the reputation of African football. It violates trust and does not follow the rule of law."
Abdoulaye Seydou Sow, FSF Secretary-General, told Senegal's RTS 1 television: "We feel the committee was not there to uphold the rules but to follow orders. We will not stop; the law is on our side. The fight is not over. Senegal will defend its rights to the fullest."