The Senegalese Executive described the decision as an “attempt at dispossession”, denounced possible irregularities and corruption in the CAF, and will take the case to international courts to try to recover the title
The conflict for the final of the African Cup of Nations added a new chapter. In a statement, the Government of Senegal strongly rejected the decision of the African Football Confederation (CAF) to grant the title to Morocco, calling the ruling “unprecedented and extremely serious”
.
From Dakar, the positioning was strong. “Senegal cannot tolerate an administrative decision that annuls commitment, merit and sporting excellence,” the Executive said in an official statement. Along the same lines, he described the measure as an "unjustified attempt at dispossession" and called for an independent international investigation into alleged corruption within the governing bodies of
African football. The Senegalese Government will go to the last possible lengths to reverse the CAF ruling
In another section of the text, the Government announced that it will proceed through judicial channels and that it will take the case “to the last possible instances”, including international courts. The objective, they remarked, is to ensure that "justice is done and the primacy of sports results is restored
”.
Finally, the Senegalese Executive assured that it is fully committed to following the case closely to achieve a positive result as soon as possible. “Senegal will remain firm, vigilant and unwavering in defending the rights of the Senegalese national team and in regaining the honor of African sport,” the statement concluded
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The origin of the controversy
The episode that triggered the conflict occurred in the final minutes of the final, when a penalty sanctioned in favor of Morocco generated a protest from the Senegalese squad and their subsequent momentary withdrawal from the field. After a few minutes, the match resumed, the penalty was saved, and Senegal ended up winning the scoreboard later, thus giving it the continental title
. CAF declared Morocco champion of the African Cup of Nations
However, two months after the final, a CAF ruling reversed the sporting result that had favored Senegal in the extension and gave up the match 3-0, making Morocco champion. According to the resolution, Senegal violated articles 82 and 84 of the regulations, labeling the episode as "administrative inappearance
”.
After confirming the decision, the Senegalese Football Federation confirmed that it will appeal the sanction to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAS), in Lausanne, with the aim of reversing the decision and restoring the result obtained on the court.
