The Senegalese Football Federation has strongly rejected a controversial ruling by the Confederation of African Football Appeals Board, which awarded Morocco a 3-0 forfeit victory over Senegal in their Africa Cup of Nations 2025 encounter. The decision, announced on March 17, 2026, has sparked outrage within Senegal’s football leadership.
In an official statement, the FSF described the verdict as “unfair, unprecedented, and unacceptable,” insisting that it undermines the principles of sporting justice. The federation argues that the ruling not only damages its reputation but also casts a shadow over the integrity of African football competitions.
CAF’s Appeals Committee had overturned an earlier disciplinary decision after siding with an appeal from Morocco’s football authorities, citing a breach of the right to be heard during the initial proceedings. It further ruled that Senegal had violated Articles 82 and 84 of AFCON regulations, leading to the forfeiture decision.
Despite this, Senegal’s football governing body remains defiant. The FSF has confirmed it will escalate the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, where it hopes to overturn the CAF ruling. With both federations now locked in a legal dispute, the case is set to become one of the most high-profile controversies surrounding the AFCON tournament in recent years.
