The resolution to strip Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title is “abject” and “we have to denounce it”, a senior determine at African soccer’s governing physique has stated.
Senegal beat Morocco 1-0 in January’s closing however the Confederation of African Football (Caf) overturned the result on Tuesday as a result of Senegal’s gamers walked off the pitch in protest when hosts Morocco had been awarded a stoppage-time penalty.
Play resumed within the closing after a 17-minute delay, and Brahim Diaz’s penalty for Morocco was saved and the sport went to additional time, the place Senegal’s Pape Gueye scored the winner.
Following an attraction by the Moroccan Football Association (FRMF), Caf dominated that by strolling off the pitch Senegal had forfeited the match, with the “result being recorded as 3-0 in favour” of Morocco.
Augustin Senghor, a Caf executive committee member and former head of the Senegalese Football Federation, informed BBC World Service’s Newsday: “In a situation like this, we have to fight against injustice.
“Football is truthful play, soccer is performed is on the sphere, not in places of work.
“What happened with Caf was unacceptable.
“When you see a committee taking such a choice in violation of our guidelines, in violation of the Fifa legal guidelines of the sport, to take the trophy and provides it to Morocco, I believe it’s one thing very abject.
“We have to denounce it.”
The FRMF stated in an announcement on Wednesday that the Caf verdict “upholds respect for rules that are necessary for the proper functioning of international competition”.
It added: “This decision helps to clarify the framework applicable to similar situations in the future and contributes to the consistency and credibility of international competitions, particularly African football.”
But Senghor believes that the choice was made after stress from the FRMF.
“Senegal will fight because what happened is happening for the first time in the story of African football, in world football,” he added.
“I am sure that if we [appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas)] then we will win and the trophy will never leave Senegal. It is clear in my mind.”
Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) president Abdoulaye Fall confirmed it should attraction towards the choice to Cas.
He added: “It is an unfair, unprecedented and incomprehensible decision.
“From a authorized standpoint, Senegal can’t lose this title.”
Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi, who replaced Walid Regragui this month, said Caf’s decision to award his side the title is “well-deserved”.
He added: “But it is vital to concentrate on the current and the long run. My objective is to make the crew aggressive for the World Cup.”
