Senegal Launches 'Crusade' Against AFCON Title Removal

Abdoulaye Fall, Senegal takes CAF to CAS

The FSF lodges appeal with Court of Arbitration for Sport against decision to overturn AFCON final result. Senegal's football governing body vows to fight CAF's decision to strip them of the African Cup of Nations title.

Senegal seeks to overturn decision to strip them of AFCON title after walking off pitch in protest...

Senegal's football governing body is fusing over the Confederation of African Football's (CAF) decision to strip them of their African Cup of Nations title. They're vowing to launch a “crusade” against the ruling.

Their legal team warns this case could shake up the football world and challenge the idea that refereeing decisions are final. Lawyer Juan de Dios Crespo Perez slammed the decision as “crude, absurd, irrational ”

“It openly violates the Laws of the Game and the principle that refereeing decisions are final. (If CAS would rule against Senegal), the winners of the next World Cup could be decided in law firms rather than on the pitch.”

“In the face of this administrative robbery, the FSF refuses fatality. We will fight ⁠a moral and legal crusade,” Abdoulaye Fall, president of the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF), ‌told a press conference.

The Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF) has taken their fight to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), lodging an appeal against CAF's decision to strip them of the AFCON title.

Senegal were ruled to have forfeited the Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat on January 18th after walking off the pitch in protest at a potentially decisive penalty awarded to Morocco. The team returned to the pitch and scored a goal in extra time, winning the game 1-0.

Senegal has qualified for this year's World Cup and will face Peru in a friendly match in Paris on Saturday. The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against the decision to strip them of their AFCON title. Serge Vittoz, part of a six-lawyer legal team in Paris, said they are asking CAS to speed up the process.

🚨 OFFICIAL: CAS confirms Senegalese Football Federation has appealed the decision to call Morocco as winners of the AFCON 2025, asking to restore Senegal as the original winners.

Appeal registered by CAS on 25 March 2026 “to set aside the CAF decision and declares the FSF… pic.twitter.com/iQqLBqVdFE

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 25, 2026

“Such a procedure usually last nine to 12 months but we want it to go faster. However, all parties must agree to it,” Vittoz said.

Asked whether the trophy would be presented to their fans at the Stade de France on Saturday, Fall said: “I'll see you at the Stade de France on March 28.”

Vittoz claimed CAF's appeal board failed to provide a clear explanation for overturning the AFCON final result.

“To be valid, a decision must be explained. It has not been, so Senegal are still African champions,” Vittoz said.