By Kazeem Ajibola Shoyebo
The Senegal Football Federation has announced it will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) following CAF’s controversial ruling that stripped Senegal of the AFCON 2025 title, describing the decision as “unfair, unprecedented, and unacceptable.”
In an official statement, the federation confirmed it will initiate proceedings at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, as it seeks to overturn the verdict handed down by the Confederation of African Football Appeal Board.
“The Senegalese Football Federation denounces an unfair, unprecedented, and unacceptable decision that brings disrepute to African football,” the FSF said. “In order to defend its rights and the interests of Senegalese football, the Federation will, as soon as possible, initiate an appeal procedure before CAS.”
The move comes after CAF ruled that Senegal forfeited the AFCON 2025 final, awarding a 3–0 victory and the title to Morocco, a decision that has sparked widespread reaction across the football world.
The FSF reaffirmed its commitment to integrity and sporting justice, insisting it will pursue all legal avenues while keeping the public informed of developments.
Secretary General Abdoulaye Seydou Sow strongly criticized the ruling, calling it a “travesty” and questioning its legal basis.
“This decision is based on absolutely nothing. It has no legal foundation,” Sow said, adding that the federation’s leadership is already consulting legal experts ahead of the CAS appeal.
“We will engage with the appropriate authorities, and then we will go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which will issue the final decision,” he stated.
Sow went further in his remarks, describing the ruling as a “shame for Africa” and insisting Senegal would not back down.
“We will not back down. Senegalese people should have no doubt. The truth is on Senegal’s side, the law is on Senegal’s side,” he said, while also criticizing CAF’s handling of the matter in comments to state broadcaster Radiodiffusion Télévision Sénégalaise.
With the appeal process set to move to CAS, the final outcome of the AFCON 2025 controversy could now be decided outside CAF’s jurisdiction.
The case is expected to draw significant global attention, as Senegal seeks to overturn one of the most contentious rulings in African football history.
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