Idrissa Gueye Offers to Return AFCON Medals to Ease Senegal-Morocco Tensions

Gueye wants to give back medals amid AFCON controversy

Everton's Idrissa Gueye offers to return AFCON medals to Morocco if it eases tensions after Senegal's title was stripped.

“We did what we had to do on the pitch, we won that match...”

Everton's Idrissa Gueye is willing to return Senegal's Africa Cup of Nations medals to Morocco if it helps ease tensions between the two countries. Senegal had initially won the tournament, beating Morocco 1-0 in extra time, but the Confederation of African Football (CAF) later overturned the result, awarding Morocco a 3-0 win and the title.

Everton Idrissa Gueye emphasized that Senegal deserved to be African champions, saying, “We did what we had to do on the pitch, we won that match. We deserve to be African champions. We are the African champions as far as we're concerned. Titles are won on the pitch, not in offices.”

The Senegalese Football Federation has appealed CAF's decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Despite this, he's open to handing back the medals, stating, “I personally commit to collecting the medals and maybe giving them back to Morocco if that can ease tensions between the two countries,” Gueye told Canal+ on Saturday after his Everton side's 3-0 win over Chelsea in the Premier League.

“It's just ridiculous... a football match is won on the pitch, that's what we did in Morocco.

“We did what we had to do on the pitch, we won that match.

“We deserve to be African champions. We are the African champions as far as we're concerned. Titles are won on the pitch, not in offices.“

Idrissa Gueye, Senegal's captain in the AFCON final, disagreed with his federation's decision to appeal CAF's ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. He felt Senegal was the rightful champion, having won the match 1-0 against Morocco, and suggested returning the medals to ease tensions between the two countries.

Gueye stated, “If it were up to me, I would have told the federation not to appeal,” emphasizing that titles are won on the pitch, not in offices. He added that he's willing to return the medals to Morocco if it helps resolve the issue.

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— Everton (@Everton) March 22, 2026

The Africa Cup of Nations final on January 18 turned chaotic when Senegal players protested a late penalty awarded to Morocco, walking off the pitch. After a 15-minute delay, play resumed amidst tension and objects thrown by Senegal supporters, with Morocco's Brahim Diaz missing the penalty. Senegal eventually won 1-0 in extra time through Pape Gueye's goal.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) overturned the result, awarding Morocco a win and the title, citing Senegal's walk-off as a forfeit. Senegal's Idrissa Gueye, who captained the team, disagrees, saying, “We did what we had to do on the pitch, we won that match. We deserve to be African champions.”