Algerian Radio
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has stripped the Senegal national team of its African title, a decision that has sparked intense indignation and condemnation—not only from the Senegalese side but also among many observers who denounce an extremely dangerous precedent that further weakens the credibility of African football's governing body.
In the face of this situation, the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has reacted strongly to the CAF Appeals Board's decision, which it describes as "iniquitous, unprecedented, and unacceptable," and has officially announced its intention to refer the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in order to contest this ruling and defend the victory earned on the field.
"Senegal will use all legal means to assert its rights," stated FSF Secretary General Abdoulaye Saydou Sow, emphasizing that his organization is more determined than ever to make the voice of Senegalese football heard on the international stage.
With this in mind, the FSF has already initiated concrete steps. A collective of lawyers is currently working on building a solid case to be presented before the CAS, based in Lausanne, with a clear objective: to obtain the annulment of CAF's decision and the restitution of the title to Senegal.
For his part, the captain and star of the Senegal team, Sadio Mané, lambasted the current state of sport on the continent in a statement published on his Instagram account.
Disappointed by recent events that he considers unacceptable, the star striker of the Lions of Teranga does not mince his words: citing "systemic corruption and a lack of transparency," he calls for a "profound revolution to save the passion of millions of fans."
For Sadio Mané, a red line has been crossed. "This is not the football we fight for," he hammered home, expressing deep weariness regarding the game's behind-the-scenes actions. According to the Senegalese star, the heroic efforts of players on the pitch are too often nullified by opaque administrative or refereeing decisions that seal the fate of trophies even before the final whistle.
By using his global platform, Sadio Mané is holding African football's governing bodies accountable. This stance could well mark a turning point, encouraging other key players from national teams to break their silence and demand immediate structural reforms.
The Olympique Lyonnais center-back, Moussa Niakhaté, who was one of the key figures in the Senegalese run, reshared the message he had written during his team's victory: "For eternity, we are champions of Africa, and I will never grow tired of saying it! So happy to be part of this exceptional group that brought back this second star to Senegal." Right after, he shared a photo with the Senegal jersey, the trophy, and his medal with the following phrase: "Come and get them! They are crazy!"
His Senegalese national teammates are also completely surprised by this decision. Rayo Vallecano player Pathé Ciss shared a photo with the trophy and his medal along with "rolling on the floor laughing" emojis.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF), already criticized in the past for its management of certain competitions, sees its image once again seriously tarnished, point out many observers who believe that awarding a trophy through an administrative decision long after the final whistle is unprecedented in the history of football.
On the field, the Senegal Lions had nonetheless won 1-0 at the end of a hard-fought and intense match. However, after an initial complaint was dismissed by the CAF disciplinary jury, the AFCON host country filed an appeal with the CAF appeals board. Against all odds, the appeals board ultimately ruled in its favor, triggering a wave of indignation in Senegal.
In the meantime, this affair continues to provoke intense reactions among supporters, observers, and key figures in continental football, highlighting the tensions surrounding governing bodies and dispute resolution mechanisms.
This legal standoff now promises to be a new battle—far from the pitch, but just as decisive for the honor of Senegalese football.
