CAIRO — The President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Patrice Motsepe, has affirmed that Senegal retains the absolute right to challenge the controversial decision that stripped the Teranga Lions of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title.
In an official statement addressing the unprecedented legal crisis rocking African football, Motsepe emphasized the independence of CAF’s judicial bodies. He stressed that under his leadership, no member association—regardless of its standing—will receive preferential or more favourable treatment.
The controversy stems from a landmark ruling by the CAF Appeals Board, which effectively overturned Senegal’s victory over Morocco in the 2025 final. The board cited a match walk-off by Senegalese players as grounds for forfeiture, subsequently awarding the trophy to Morocco by default.
“The judicial bodies of CAF are independent, and their decisions must be respected,” Motsepe stated, adding that he expects the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) to take the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). “We will adhere to and respect the final decision reached by the highest sports judicial authority.”
The ruling has sparked nationwide protests in Dakar and led to a diplomatic standoff, with Senegalese authorities describing the move as a “dangerous precedent” that threatens the integrity of the game on the continent.
