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Backlash Deepens Over AFCON Ruling as Senegal Appeals and Guinea Seeks 1976 Review

Senegal has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, putting CAF’s reversal under legal and reputational scrutiny.

Overview

  • CAF’s Appeals Board overturned the January 18 final 58 days later, recording a 3-0 forfeit win for Morocco and stripping Senegal of the 2025 title after a mid-match walkoff.
  • Senegalese authorities have filed a CAS appeal and are declining to surrender the silverware, with the trophy reported to be held at a military facility pending the case.
  • High-profile figures including George Weah, Patrice Evra and Pep Guardiola criticized the decision, arguing it undermines the referee’s on-field authority and the finality of results.
  • Guinea’s federation has formally asked CAF to re-examine Morocco’s 1976 AFCON title after a reported walkoff in that decisive match, though analysts note the rules cited in 2025 were not in force then and CAF has not responded.
  • With CAF’s ruling still operative during the appeal, the dispute now centers on governance standards, the scope of administrative review after matches, and the precedent this sets for African football.