DAKAR, Senegal — African football has been plunged into a significant governance crisis following a historic decision by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The sport’s continental governing body has officially stripped Senegal of its 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title and awarded the championship to host nation Morocco, overturning the result of the final contested two months prior.
The CAF Appeals Board issued its ruling on Tuesday, determining that the Senegalese national team had ‘forfeited the final’ by abandoning the pitch during extra time. The original match outcome—a 1-0 victory for Senegal secured in extra time—has been converted to a 3-0 default victory for Morocco. This extraordinary decision centers on an incident where Senegalese players left the field following a contentious refereeing decision, though they later returned to complete the match.
The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has launched a vehement condemnation of the ruling, labeling it as ‘unfair, unprecedented, and wholly unacceptable.’ In an official statement, the federation declared the move ‘discredits the very institution of African football’ and represents a severe breach of sporting integrity.
In response, the FSF has announced its immediate intention to escalate the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland. This external legal challenge is expected to be a protracted process, typically requiring up to a year before a final verdict is delivered. The FSF has pledged its ‘unwavering commitment to the principles of integrity and sporting justice’ and committed to keeping the public informed of all developments in the escalating dispute.