Oshoala, Adepoju, Others Condemn CAF’s Decision To Strip Senegal Of AFCON Title

The Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) decision to strip Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title and award it to Morocco has ignited a firestorm, with prominent African football personalities condemning the move as a “boardroom snatch.”

CAF’s Appeal Board ruled that Senegal forfeited the final after players briefly walked off the pitch in protest, handing Morocco a 3-0 walkover victory and their first AFCON title since 1976. This overturned Senegal’s 1-0 extra-time triumph, plunging African football into controversy.

Nigerian superstar Asisat Oshoala, a six-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year, vehemently criticized the decision on X (formerly Twitter), stating: “In CAF book, not in our book !”

Oshoala has previously questioned what she perceives as CAF’s preferential treatment of Morocco.

Former Nigerian international and 1994 AFCON winner Mutiu Adepoju expressed his disapproval to Footy Africa, stating, “The decision is not good. It’s detrimental to the image of African football. If a decision is to be taken, it should have been made long ago, not now—not two months later. That’s my main issue.”

He questioned the rationale behind the delayed announcement.

Former Cameroon head coach Claude Le Roy alleged “a lot of shady dealings” in an interview with L’Équipe.

He expressed frustration that “it feels like Morocco can get away with anything,” and accused the federation of undue influence.

The final, held on January 18 in Rabat, saw Senegal’s players, led by coach Pape Thiaw, protest a late penalty awarded to Morocco. Although the penalty was saved, Pape Gueye later scored a goal that secured what was thought to be Senegal’s second title.

The controversy has also drawn comments from international pundits with former England player Jamie Carragher suggesting European referees for AFCON, a proposal swiftly rejected by former France and Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, who argued for giving African referees a chance despite acknowledging “more and more mistakes.”

Senegal heads to CAS

Senegal has announced it will challenge CAF’s ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), setting the stage for a protracted legal battle.

In a strongly worded statement, they condemned the decision as “unjust, unprecedented and unacceptable,” asserting that it “brings African football into disrepute.”

The federation has wasted no time in announcing its intention to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland, as soon as possible.

This move underscores their conviction that the verdict is a grave injustice and that they will exhaust all avenues to defend their rights and the interests of Senegalese football.

The Senegalese public, passionate about their national team, is expected to rally behind this appeal, viewing the decision as a direct affront to their sporting integrity.

CAF Appeals Board’s Stance:

The CAF Appeals Committee, headed by Nigeria’s Roli Daibo Harriman, with Faustino Varela Monteiro of Guinea-Bissau as vice-chairman, and comprising members from Tunisia, South Africa, Mauritania, Djibouti, Togo, Malawi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, arrived at its decision by applying Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON Regulations.

The articles are explicit in their stipulations regarding teams that refuse to play or leave the ground without authorisation.

Article 82 states: “If, for any reason whatsoever, a team withdraws from the competition or does not report for a match, or refuses to play or leaves the ground before the regular end of the match without the authorisation of the referee, it shall be considered a loser and shall be eliminated for good from the current competition.”

Article 84 further elaborates on the consequences: “The team which contravenes the provisions of articles 82 and 83 shall be eliminated for good from the competition. This team will lose its match by 3-0 unless the opponent has scored a more advantageous result at the time when the match was interrupted, in this case this score will be maintained. The Organising Committee may adopt further measures.”

The Appeals Committee’s interpretation hinges on the 17-minute period during which the Senegalese players refused to continue playing after a penalty kick was awarded to Morocco in the 98th minute.

The Broader Implications: Governance and the Future of African Football

This contentious ruling by the CAF Appeals Committee extends far beyond the immediate outcome of the AFCON 2025 final. It has ignited a wider discussion about governance, regulatory consistency, and transparency within African football. The incident highlights the critical importance of clear guidelines and robust decision-making processes to prevent such disputes from arising or, when they do, to resolve them in a manner that maintains faith in the sport’s integrity.

CAS Appeal and Future Relations

As Senegal prepares to appeal the CAF ruling at CAS, there is a palpable sense of anticipation among football fans and stakeholders alike. The outcome of this appeal could set a significant precedent for how similar disputes are handled in the future. The FSF’s commitment to defending its rights indicates a broader struggle for justice and fairness within African football.

The implications of this ruling extend beyond the immediate context of the AFCON final. They raise critical questions about how football federations navigate disputes and uphold the principles of fair play. The reactions from both Senegal and Morocco highlight the need for a more robust and transparent system of governance within CAF.