Senegal isn’t giving up its Africa Cup of Nations title without a legal fight, with the country’s soccer federation saying it will appeal the 鈥渦nfair, unprecedented, and unacceptable decision鈥� to strip the team of its victory in a chaotic final against host Morocco.
The country鈥檚 government went further as it said it will 鈥減ursue all appropriate legal avenues鈥� to overturn the decision and called for an international investigation “into suspected corruption鈥� within African soccer’s governing body.
The Confederation of African Football’s in January by walking off the field and turned its 1-0 win in extra time into a 3-0 default win for Morocco.
鈥淭his unprecedented and exceptionally serious decision directly contradicts the fundamental principles of sporting ethics, foremost among which are fairness, loyalty, and respect for the truth of the game,鈥� the Senegalese government said in a statement Wednesday.
鈥淚t stems from a manifestly erroneous interpretation of the regulations, leading to a grossly illegal and deeply unjust decision. By calling into question a result achieved at the end of a match that was properly played and won in accordance with the rules of the game, CAF seriously undermines its own credibility and the legitimate trust that the African people place in continental sporting institutions.鈥�
Appeal to CAS
The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) said the decision 鈥渄iscredits African football,鈥� and that it will appeal 鈥渁s soon as possible鈥� to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland, a process that would typically take a year to deliver a verdict.
鈥淭he FSF reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the values of integrity and sporting justice and will keep the public informed of developments in this matter,鈥� the federation said.
Shambolic final in Rabat
The descended into chaos when Senegal鈥檚 players left the field in stoppage time after having a late goal ruled out before Morocco was awarded a potentially game-deciding penalty. There were scuffles between rival players while furious Senegal fans tried to storm the field where they were battling with stewards, before Senegal coach Pape Thiaw led most of his players off. It was unclear if the game could continue.
But they returned after around 10 minutes and play resumed with Morocco star Brahim D铆az having his 鈥淧anenka鈥�-style penalty saved by 脡douard Mendy. Senegal鈥檚 Pape Gueye scored the only goal in extra time.
Rules and regulations
CAF in its decision referred to Articles 82 and 84 of its Africa Cup regulations. Article 82 says if a team 鈥渞efuses to play or leaves the ground before the regular end of the match without the authorization of the referee鈥� it loses the game and is eliminated from the competition. Article 84 awards the opposing team a 3-0 win.
However, Law 5 of the International Football Association Board (IFAB), which sets the rules for the game globally, gives 鈥渇ull authority鈥� to referees to determine what happens in a match.
鈥淭he decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play, including whether or not a goal is scored and the result of the match, are final. The decisions of the referee, and all other match officials, must always be respected,鈥� according to Law 5.2.
Moroccan federation’s guarded response
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation said in a statement it wished to reiterate that its appeal to CAF was 鈥渘ever aimed at contesting the sporting merit or performance of the teams involved in this tournament, but solely to ensure the proper enforcement of competition regulations.鈥�
It commended 鈥渁ll the nations that participated鈥� in the Africa Cup and said it would issue a more comprehensive statement after a scheduled meeting of its governing bodies.
Questions for CAF
The Senegal government鈥檚 allegation of 鈥渟uspected corruption鈥� at CAF is the culmination of its growing anger at perceived favoritism toward Morocco, which is a 2030 World Cup co-host and has invested heavily to become a soccer superpower.
Even before the final, the FSF called on CAF to ensure 鈥渇air play, equal treatment, and security鈥� after upon its arrival in Rabat. Morocco coach Walid Regragui had already rejected suggestions his team was to advance to the final.
Last month, 19 Senegal fans who were arrested at the final were given by a Moroccan court. The government on Wednesday expressed solidarity with the Senegalese supporters.
Morocco was supposed to host the Women鈥檚 Africa Cup from March 17-April 3, but the tournament was because of what CAF described as 鈥渦nforeseen circumstances.鈥� South Africa offered to step in as host while reports persisted that Morocco wanted to pull out of hosting it for the third time straight.
CAF has still not confirmed the host for the rescheduled July 25-Aug. 16 tournament. The governing body did not respond to questions submitted by The Associated Press.
Previous decision
CAF in January imposed against the Senegalese and Moroccan federations together. It banned Thiaw for five Africa Cup games for bringing the game into disrepute. But it did not interfere with the outcome of the final.
On Tuesday, it reduced Morocco player Isma毛l Saibari鈥檚 three-game ban to one match and scrapped his $100,000 fine for unsporting behavior, while it also reduced fines that were imposed against the Moroccan federation for the from $200,000 to $50,000. Another fine was also reduced.
Morocco fans celebrate
Moroccans took to the streets of Rabat and other cities to celebrate their team’s belated success, as residents waved flags and motorists honked their horns to compete with the sound of vuvuzelas. In Casablanca, some revelers lit smoke bombs and chanted 鈥淎lways Morocco鈥� to the din from honking cars.
The response appeared more subdued to the celebrations that followed the Under-20 team鈥檚 World Cup win, which saw thousands celebrate on the streets as skies were illuminated by fireworks.
鈥淭he joy isn鈥檛 the same as winning the match and lifting the trophy on the field, then celebrating in the moment with everyone,鈥� Casablanca taxi driver Mohcin Rayan told the AP. 鈥淭his feels more like an injustice that has been corrected.鈥�
Disbelief in Dakar
CAF’s decision was met with disbelief and dismay in Senegal.
鈥淭o take back a trophy two months after the final was played is just ridiculous,鈥� Souleymane Ba, a university student, told AP in the capital, Dakar. 鈥淭he Senegalese players won medals, millions of francs (hundreds of thousands of dollars) in bonuses for winning the cup, and paraded the trophy through the country. And now CAF wants to take all that away? How do they even expect to do that?鈥�
Shop owner Pape Sarr said he was shocked by the ruling but confident the appeal to CAS will be successful.
鈥淭he referee did not forfeit the match after the players left, and validated the result, so that should be the end of the story,鈥� Sarr said.
Taxi driver Abdoulaye Diouf had a similar view: 鈥淭he whole world saw that we won legitimately. Senegal are the champions on the field. Morocco can be the champions in the courthouse if they want.鈥�
World Cup bound
Both Senegal and Morocco have qualified for the World Cup. None of the sanctions following their Africa Cup final will impact them at the tournament, though both will claim to be African champion.
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Associated Press reporter Mark Banchereau contributed from Dakar, Senegal.
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