The Senegalese Football Federation held a press conference on Thursday in Paris to detail its appeal before the Court of Arbitration for Sport after the withdrawal of the CAN 2025 champion title. For its lawyers, the CAF decision to award the title to Morocco is “gross, absurd and irrational”. They hope that their arguments will be heard, while the Senegalese will have the opportunity to hammer home that they remain the African champions during a match on Saturday against Peru.
Published on: 03/26/2026 - 5:02 p.m. Modified on: 04/04/2026 - 10:31 p.m.
The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) counterattacks. Nearly ten days after the controversial decision of the Confederation of African Football to award the trophy to Morocco, the FSF dispatched an army of international lawyers – Senegalese, French, Swiss and even Spanish – to Paris for a press conference, Thursday March 26, to explain its decision to bring this case before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
On March 17, two months after Senegal's coronation, the appeal jury of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) decided to withdraw his title in favor of Morocco, unfortunate finalist and host of the tournament. He thus agreed with the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), which argued that the momentary departure of the Senegalese players from the field during the final amounted to a forfeit.
During this chaotic match, punctuated by violence between supporters, the Teranga Lions left the pitch to protest against a penalty obtained by Brahim Diaz just after a goal denied to the Senegalese. Under the leadership of Sadio Mané in particular, they resumed the game to finally win in overtime thanks to a goal from Pape Gueye.
The unexpected decision of CAF, pronounced two months after this final, caused a shock wave in the football world and well beyond.
“The decision of the appeal jury cannot be considered a real decision of sporting justice, it is so crude, absurd and irrational,” criticized Master Seydou Diagne, defense coordinator of the FSF.
“If the world of football lets this happen (…), the winner of the next Football World Cup could also be decided in law firms,” he warned.
Read alsoCAN 2025: Senegal files an appeal before the Court of Arbitration for Sport
A “phantom decision”
The decision to cancel Senegal's victory is unprecedented. Never has a confederation withdrawn a continental title already won on the field. A turnaround all the more surprising given that the CAF jury had rejected the Moroccan complaint at first instance, considering that the forfeit would only have been valid if the Senegalese team had left the field permanently.
The course of the appeal trial also raises many questions. Only five of its nine members participated, including the president of the Tunisian Football Federation, Moez Ben Tahar Nasri, known to be close to Moroccan leaders. A presence which has aroused the suspicion of certain observers.
Maître Seydou Diagne, for his part, denounced "an expeditious trial" affirming that the CAF, required to provide reasons for its decision, had still not complied with this obligation.
The Senegalese Football Federation is "legally still champion of Africa" added Swiss lawyer Serge Vittoz, criticizing a "phantom decision".
While many gray areas persist, FSF lawyers have promised to shed light on the reasons for this decision.
“What our adversaries want is a poisoned medal,” said Master Pierre-Olivier Sur. “We will look for the causes and reasons,” he assured.
FSF lawyers also spoke of the fate of the 18 Senegalese supporters arrested during the violence on the evening of the final and imprisoned since, victims according to them of "relenty from the Moroccan prosecution".
Also read: A penalty, a boycott, a failed panenka: the crazy minutes of the Senegal-Morocco final
Accelerated procedure?
The date of the new trial in the disputed CAN victory case has not yet been set. Judged this time by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, based in Lausanne, the procedure could stretch over the year 2026. The average delay is "9 to 12 months", warned Master Serge Vittoz, indicating nevertheless that the court and the FSF are in favor of an accelerated procedure, so that the judgment does not disrupt the smooth running of the Football World Cup, which will begin on June 11 in Mexico.
This express procedure could reduce the deadline to two months. But for this to happen it must be approved by the other parties, CAF and the Moroccan Football Federation, he underlines.
In the meantime, the Senegalese players are preparing to take to the pitch at the Stade de France, Saturday March 28, for a friendly match against Peru. During this meeting, the Lions of Teranga had planned to celebrate their title with the Senegalese diaspora in France. A celebration somewhat tarnished by the highly controversial decision of CAF.
Also read CAN 2025: the trophy “protected” by the Senegalese army to escape Morocco?
In this context, will the Senegalese display the trophy at the risk of further exacerbating tensions with Morocco and its supporters? Questioned on the subject, the president of the FSF remained evasive.
“There is practically no change to the program” assured Adoulaye Fall. “The players are extremely motivated” he continued, promising a “great show” and “commitment”. Before concluding: “See you at the stadium on the 28th”.
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