Senegal to Parade AFCON Trophy Amidst Controversy Over Title Stripping

Thu Mar 26 2026 17:02:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Despite having their Africa Cup of Nations title rescinded, Senegal plans a trophy parade against Peru in Paris, igniting a fierce legal battle to reclaim their championship.

Senegal is set to showcase the Africa Cup of Nations trophy before their upcoming friendly match against Peru, despite the Confederation of African Football's recent decision to strip them of the title. The Senegalese Football Federation's president firmly opposed the ruling, framing it as a grave injustice, while the Court of Arbitration for Sport is reviewing their appeal. The situation has provoked significant controversy and claims of administrative misconduct within CAF.

Senegal plan to parade the Africa Cup of Nations trophy before their game against Peru in Paris on Saturday, with the head of the country's Football Federation vowing a crusade against the decision to strip the team of the title.

The Lions of Teranga claimed their second Afcon title on 18 January when they beat hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time in a final which ended in chaotic scenes when the Senegal players walked off the pitch after their opponents were awarded a stoppage-time penalty with the match goalless.

But last week, the Confederation of African Football (Caf) overturned that result, awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory.

On Tuesday, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) confirmed receipt of Senegal's appeal against that decision, promising to rule as swiftly as possible.

Faced with what amounts to the most blatant and unprecedented administrative robbery in the history of our sport, the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) refuses to accept this as inevitable, FSF president Abdoulaye Fall said at a media conference in the French capital.

Shortly before making his comments, FSF social media posted a timetable for events around Saturday's friendly at the Stade de France which included a trophy parade.

Senegal will not bend the knee and will not compromise its values, added Fall. Our fight now transcends the football pitch.

Following the controversial final in Rabat, where Morocco and Real Madrid forward Brahim Diaz missed a Panenka penalty that could have clinched the win in the 114th minute, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) lodged a complaint with Caf and Fifa, citing that Senegal's actions greatly affected the normal course of the match and the players' morale.

Caf's disciplinary committee initially rejected that appeal, instead issuing sanctions against both teams, including a five-match ban for Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw.

The FRMF maintained that those original penalties did not reflect the seriousness of the incidents, which led Caf's appeal board to agree, stating that Senegal had breached specific competition regulations.

Senegal's government then called for an investigation into suspected corruption at Caf, a claim that was dismissed by the governing body's president, Patrice Motsepe.

To wage this moral and legal crusade, FSF president Abdoulaye Fall announced a team of experienced legal professionals is now involved. One of the lawyers described Caf's decision as so blatant, so absurd, so irrational, emphasizing that it undermines the rights of the national Football Federation.

With Senegal determined to parade the trophy as a symbol of their defiance, the outcome of this intense confrontation over the Afcon title remains to be seen.