Senegal national football team plans to parade the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy ahead of its upcoming international friendly against Peru national football team, despite a ruling that stripped the country of the title.
Gatekeepers News reports that Senegal had originally claimed victory on the pitch after defeating Morocco national football team in the final on January 18. However, a decision by the Appeals Board of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on March 17 later revoked the title and declared Morocco as champions.
According to the ruling, Senegal breached Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON regulations after several players reportedly walked off the pitch to the dressing room in protest of a referee’s decision during the match.
In response, the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), seeking to overturn the CAF verdict.
Despite the ongoing legal challenge, plans to present the AFCON trophy remain part of activities scheduled ahead of Senegal’s friendly match against Peru at the Stade de France in Paris on Saturday. The schedule was shared on the Teranga Lions’ official social media page on Thursday.
Speaking at a press conference in Paris, President of the FSF, Abdoulaye Fall, criticised CAF’s decision, describing it as “unprecedented administrative robbery in the history of our sport”.
He also said the country was ready to pursue further action over the ruling.
“Faced with what amounts to the most blatant and unprecedented administrative robbery in the history of our sport, the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) refuses to accept this as inevitable,” Fall said.
“Senegal will not bend the knee and will not compromise its values. Our fight now transcends the football pitch.”
