Senegal Stars Rejoice After Amazing Win, Forget About Sadder World Cup Past

Some of Senegal’s players have reacted to the news that they had been stripped of the Africa Cup of Nations title by posted pictures of their trophy and medals, following the controversial decision to award Morocco victory . The Confederation of African Football ( Caf ) Appeal Board ruled on Tuesday night that Senegal forfeited the final, played on 18 January, after they walked off the pitch and into the dressing room in protest of Morocco being awarded a late penalty. Senegal, who went on to win the farcical final in Rabat after Brahim Diaz missed the penalty and Pape Sarr scored an extra-time winner, have confirmed that they will take the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) in Switzerland after Morocco were awarded a 3-0 win.

Senegal players celebrate with the Africa Cup of Nations trophy after beating Morocco (AFP via Getty Images) The official X account of the Senegal team initially responded to the seismic ruling from Caf by posting a video of their homecoming trophy celebrations, as their players celebrated a second Afcon title in front of their jubilant fans. The account added an ‘ok’ emoji. And players of the team also responded by uploading images of their post-match celebrations.

Pathe Ciss, the defensive midfielder, posted a series of laughing face emojis as he posed with the Afcon trophy and his winner’s medal - which will now have to be returned following the Caf Appeal Board’s decision. Moussa Niakhate, the centre-back, shared a photo from the aftermath of the 18 January final, along with the caption: “This is not AI, this is real”. Habib Diarra, the Sunderland midfielder, also posted a picture of him holding the Afcon trophy shortly after the unprecedented ruling.

Under Afcon regulations , if a team “refuses to play or leaves the ground before the regular end of the match without the authorisation of the referee”, they will be deemed the loser and their opponents will automatically be given a 3-0 win, as per Articles 82 and 84. And Caf has confirmed stuck by its own rules, saying in its statement that Senegal “infringed Article 82 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations” and “in application of Article 84 ... the Senegal team is declared to have forfeited the match”.