‘The AFCON trophy will not leave the country’

The football world was shocked last night when news broke out that CAF has given the AFCON title to Morocco, stripping Senegal of their title due to rules violations. The CAF Appeal Board found that Senegal’s temporary withdrawal from the pitch during the final constituted an infringement of Article 82 and amounted to a refusal to continue the match. In application of Article 84, Senegal were therefore deemed to have forfeited the final. As a result, the earlier decision of the CAF Disciplinary Board was set aside, the protest by the FRMF was upheld, and the match has now been officially recorded as a 3-0 victory in favor of Morocco.

Morocco crowned AFCON champions as CAF annuls Senegal's victory

This news shocked everybody and Senegal the most, off course. Senegal football federation (FSF) already stated that they will appeal and that the AFCON trophy will not leave the country. The FSF quickly wrote to the CAF Secretary General to challenge the decision of the appeals panel and announced its intention to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

“The Senegalese Football Federation denounces this unjust, unprecedented, and unacceptable decision, which discredits African football. The result having been ratified and the trophy officially awarded, the legal security of the competition is seriously compromised by this reversal. We formally demand that CAF suspend the execution of this decision and freeze all trophy presentation procedures in Morocco pending a final arbitration".

FSF general secretary Abdoulaye Sow was much angrier.

“The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is corrupt, and the reactions worldwide following this decision confirm total outrage," he declared. "The FSF president is in discussions with all those involved. The fight is far from over. I want to reassure all Senegalese people. Senegal has the right and victory is on its side. The cup will not leave the country" he said to the Senegalese newspaper ‘Le Soleil’.

CAF imposes heavy sanctions on Senegal and Morocco after chaotic AFCON 2025 final

Anger was also spreading within the Senegalese Football Federation, with a source within the organization telling L’Equipe: "We are outraged. There's a CAF Executive Committee meeting on the 29th of March , it's going to be World War III". As for players, many of them reacted by Lyon’s Moussa Niakhate was the best. The player posted a series of pictures of himself holding up the trophy from an open-top bus in the crowded streets of Dakar upon his return home, and another with the caption: "Come and get them ," referring to his medal and the Cup. The Lyon player followed up with another message stating, "This isn't AI, it's real."

Morocco decided not to heat the situation further, and just posted a statement in which they announced that they "acknowledged the decision" rendered by the CAF Appeals Committee.

"The FRMF wishes to reiterate that its approach was never intended to contest the sporting performance of the teams participating in this competition, but solely to request the application of the competition regulations. The Federation reaffirms its commitment to respecting the rules, to the clarity of the competitive framework, and to the stability of African competitions. Finally, it wishes to commend all the nations that participated in this edition of the AFCON, which was a major moment for African football. The Federation will issue an official statement tomorrow, after convening its governing bodies" reads the statement.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - ROUND OF 16

Return leg

Tuesday

Sporting - Bodo 5-0 (1-0) AET

/Ignacio 34, Goncalves 61, Suarez 78(p), Araujo 92, Nel 120+1/

Arsenal - Leverkusen 2-0 (1-0)

/Eze 36, Rice 63/

Chelsea - PSG 0-3 (0-2)

/Kvaratskhelia 6, Barcola 14, Mayulu 62/

Manchester City - Real Madrid 1-2 (1-1)

/Haaland 41 - Vinicius 22(p), 90+3/

Wednesday

20.45: (1.57) Barcelona (4.65) Newcastle (5.00)

23.00: (1.35) Bayern (5.30) Atalanta (8.00)

23.00: (1.30) Liverpool (6.10) Galatasaray (8.50)

23.00: (2.60) Tottenham (3.75) Atl.Madrid (2.65)

***odds are subject to change***