Senegal government claims ‘corruption’ after CAF awards Morocco AFCON title

The Senegalese government is demanding an “independent international investigation” into alleged corruption within the Confederation of African Football (CAF) after the governing body stripped Senegal of its Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title and awarded it to Morocco.

The controversial decision was made by CAF’s appeals board following a review of the chaotic final match held two months ago. The ruling declared that Senegal had forfeited the game, which they had originally won 1-0 in extra time. The forfeiture was a result of the Senegalese team leaving the pitch for 14 minutes during regulation time to protest a penalty awarded to Morocco.

Although Morocco missed the subsequent penalty when play resumed, CAF has officially recorded the final score as a 3-0 victory for the host nation.

Senegal questions CAF’s motive

In a sharply worded statement on Wednesday, Senegalese government spokeswoman Marie Rose Khady Fatou Faye condemned the ruling. “By calling into question a result achieved at the end of a match that was properly played and won in accordance with the rules of the game, the CAF seriously undermines its own credibility,” she stated as per Al Jazeera.

“Senegal unequivocally rejects this unjustified attempt at dispossession,” Faye added, formally calling for an independent probe into “suspected corruption within the CAF’s governing bodies.”

CAF has not yet responded to requests for comment on the allegations.

The dispute has escalated tensions between the two nations. Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko had previously criticised Morocco for jailing 18 Senegalese fans following a pitch invasion during the player protest at the January 18 final in Rabat. The sentences, handed down in February, ranged from three months to one year, along with fines.

Soured relations with Morocco

“It seems this matter goes beyond the realm of sport and that is regrettable,” Sonko told the Senegalese parliament. “For two countries that call each other friends, like Morocco and Senegal, things should not have gone this far.”

The Senegal Football Federation (FSF) announced its intention to challenge CAF’s decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland.

“The Senegalese Football Federation denounces this unfair, unprecedented, and unacceptable decision, which casts a shadow over African football,” the FSF said in a statement. “To defend its rights and the interests of Senegalese football, the federation will initiate an appeal as soon as possible.”

An appeal process at CAS can often take up to a year to reach a final verdict.