Senegal appeal to CAS against handing over of AFCON title to Morocco
Senegal hope to overturn CAF’s decision to crown Morocco champions after a walkout by Senegalese players in the final.
Senegal have lodged an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport over the decision to strip them of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title and hand the trophy to Morocco, the Swiss-based tribunal has confirmed. “The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) confirms receipt of an appeal by the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) against the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation,” CAS said in a statement on Wednesday. Senegal are hoping to overturn the decision by African football’s governing body to strip them of the title after several of their players walked off the pitch protesting against a penalty awarded to Morocco during the AFCON final on January 18, which the Senegalese side went on to win 1-0 in extra time.
CAF announced on March 17 that it had upheld an appeal by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, saying Senegal had infringed tournament regulations by walking off. As a result, it declared Senegal to have forfeited the match, turning their 1-0 victory into a 3-0 defeat, making hosts Morocco the champions. CAS said Senegal’s appeal “seeks to set aside the CAF decision and declare the FSF winners of AFCON”.
CAS Director General Matthieu Reeb added: “We understand that teams and fans are eager to know the final decision, and we will ensure that arbitration proceedings are conducted as swiftly as possible, while respecting the right of all parties to a fair hearing. ” Farcical final The final flashpoint came when Morocco were awarded a hotly contested spot-kick in injury time with the game goalless. The penalty was given by Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala right at the end of the allotted eight added minutes in normal time following a VAR check for a challenge on Brahim Diaz by El Hadji Malick Diouf.
Some Senegalese supporters attempted a pitch invasion out of anger, while Senegal’s players halted the game for nearly 20 minutes to protest the penalty award. After Senegal’s players eventually returned, having been coaxed back onto the pitch by Sadio Mane, Morocco’s Diaz took the kick, but his penalty was saved. Pape Gueye then went on to score the goal in extra time that gave Senegal a 1-0 victory and their second continental title after their maiden triumph in 2022.