Daylight robbery: Global outrage as CAF strips Senegal of AFCON title.

This follows the ruling of the CAF Appeal Board.

In a statement, CAF said: “…In application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Senegal National Team is declared to have forfeited the Final Match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, Morocco 2025”.

CAF added that “the result of the Match is being recorded as 3-0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football, FRMF.”

It should be recalled that Senegal beat Morocco 1-0 in the chaotic final on January 18, 2026. 

Senegalese players had refused to play after the hosts were awarded a controversial stoppage-time penalty. Then, both teams were tied on a 0-0 draw.

The Senegalese team, in protest against the disputed penalty, had walked out of the field of play.

Following a delay of about 17 minutes, the players eventually returned and Brahim Diaz's penalty was saved before Senegal's Pape Gueye scored an extra-time winner.

However, exactly two months later, CAF overturned the result of the final; following Senegal's controversial walk-off in the final. 

African football experts have described the decision as shameful, daylight robbery, unprecedented and the most extraordinary decision in football history.

Sadio Mane, who convinced his teammates to return to the field during the final, said in a statement that “this is not the football we fight for”.

Mane added: “There is too much corruption in our game and it is killing the passion of millions of fans across the continent. Players give everything on the pitch but decisions off it are deciding matches and trophies.”

Former Cameroon head coach, Claude Le Roy, in an interview, described the decision as “completely irresponsible and implausible”.

For others, the credibility of the continent’s most prestigious tournament has been attacked.

Nigel Reo-Coker told CBS Sports that “it’s an absolute embarrassment for CAF. It is another reason people will talk down on the competition”.

African football journalist, Mimi Fawaz, said that “…this decision will tarnish the image of AFCON. It was so controversial this final”.

Reactions on social media have been divided. In Morocco, fans are not particularly excited about the decision. Many say the decision should have been made on the pitch immediately after the 15-minute limit. 

According to Yasser, the AFCON final had irreparable damage on the team. The team lost the coach and their team has been destabilised, two months to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. 

“All we wanted was justice. This is not how we want to win our first title in 50 years. What are we going to do with such a win? It is not good. A trophy is won on the field. This is not how we want to win,” Yasser said. 

Senegalese fans have also voiced their frustrations. Umar Saiko said the decision was “unjust” and said “CAF should be ashamed”.

Meanwhile, the Senegalese Football Federation, FSF, has announced it will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sports, CAS. FSF labelled the ruling as “unacceptable” and “unfair”.

This article article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3736 of Thursday March 19, 2026