Following CAF's decision to declare Morocco the winner of AFCON 2025 ahead of Senegal, the Senegalese FA and Sadio Mane have both issued official statements.
In a move that has sent shockwaves through global football, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially stripped Senegal of its 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title, awarding the championship to Morocco two months after the final was played.
The decision, announced on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, stems from a chaotic sequence during the January 18 final in Rabat. With the match tied 0-0 in stoppage time, Senegal’s players staged a 20-minute walk-off to protest a controversial penalty awarded to Morocco.
Although captain Sadio Mane eventually persuaded his teammates to return, leading to a 1-0 win for Senegal in extra time, CAF’s Appeals Committee ruled that the walk-off constituted a forfeit under Articles 82 and 84 of the tournament regulations.
The Federation’s Statement: "Unjust and Unacceptable"
The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) released a blistering official statement on Wednesday morning, rejecting the ruling in the strongest possible terms and confirming they will take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
"The Senegalese Football Federation condemns this unjust, unprecedented, and unacceptable decision, which brings African football into disrepute. We acted in the interest of fair play on the night, yet we are being punished for a situation handled with the utmost leadership by our captain."
The FSF argued that because the match was completed and a trophy was hoisted, the result on the pitch should stand.
Sadio Mane Breaks His Silence
Sadio Mane, who was named Player of the Tournament and was the primary reason the match even resumed, expressed his heartbreak over the decision. Taking to social media, the Al-Nassr star described the ruling as a "stain" on the competition's integrity.
"We won that trophy with our sweat and our hearts on the pitch in Rabat," Mane stated. "To take it away in a boardroom months later is not football. I went into that dressing room to bring my brothers back because we wanted to prove we were the best through play, not politics. This decision hurts every Senegalese person, but we know who the real champions are."
The Ruling at a Glance
| Detail | Decision |
| New 2025 Champion | Morocco (Awarded 3-0 forfeit win) |
| Reason for Strip | Violation of Article 84 (Leaving the pitch without referee permission) |
| Next Legal Step | Appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) |
| Status of Players | All Senegal players, including Mane, have been officially stripped of their winner's medals. |
What This Means for the Lions of Teranga
The ruling has ignited a firestorm of debate regarding the role of VAR and officiating in African football. While Morocco maintains that they simply requested the "application of competition regulations," Senegal views the move as a targeted punishment.
With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, the "Lions of Teranga" now face a gruelling legal battle to reclaim the title they believe they won fairly on the pitch.
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