Senegal Demands Corruption Inquiry After Being Stripped of AFCON 2025 Title

The Government of Senegal has called for an independent international investigation into suspected corruption within African football’s governing body after the country was stripped of its 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title.

On Tuesday, Morocco was officially declared champions of the 2025 AFCON after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) appeals board ruled that Senegal had forfeited the January final.

The decision came after Senegal’s players walked off the pitch in protest during stoppage time. As a result, Senegal’s 1–0 extra-time victory was overturned and recorded as a 3–0 default win in favor of host nation Morocco.

In an official statement, the Senegalese government condemned CAF’s ruling as “grossly illegal and profoundly unjust.” It also called for an independent international investigation, citing suspicions of corruption within CAF’s leadership.

CAF did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Earlier, the Senegalese Football Federation described the ruling as unprecedented and unacceptable. The federation confirmed it plans to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Senegal had originally secured a 1–0 win in the final held on January 18, with Pape Gueye scoring the decisive goal in extra time.

The match was marked by controversy late in the game. During stoppage time, Senegal’s players left the field in protest after Morocco was awarded a late penalty while the score was still 0–0. The game was paused for 17 minutes before play resumed.

Morocco’s Brahim Diaz took the penalty with a Panenka attempt, but it was saved. Despite this, the aftermath of the incident has now led to a major reversal of the result.