The President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Patrice Motsepe, has stated that the governing body will abide by any ruling issued by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in the growing dispute surrounding Senegal’s stripped 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title.
His comments come in the wake of a controversial decision by CAF’s Appeals Board on March 17, which overturned Senegal’s 1-0 win over Morocco in the January final. Invoking Articles 82 and 84 of the competition’s regulations, the panel instead awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory by forfeiture.
The ruling followed a 15-minute walk-off by Senegalese players late in the game in protest against a penalty awarded to the host nation. Although the match resumed and Senegal eventually secured victory in extra time, the Appeals Board determined that the protest amounted to a violation deserving of forfeiture.
Speaking a day later, Motsepe emphasised the right of member associations to seek justice beyond CAF’s internal mechanisms.
“Senegal is expected to appeal, which is important,” he said in a video released by CAF. “All 54 member associations have the right to pursue their cases at the highest level, not only within CAF but also at CAS. We will respect whatever decision is ultimately taken.”
The decision has triggered widespread backlash, particularly in Senegal, where government officials have condemned the outcome as “grossly illegal” and demanded an independent international investigation into alleged corruption within CAF.
