Senegal captain Sadio Mane has openly condemned the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) Board of Appeal following its ruling to revoke the Teranga Lions’ 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) crown.
Senegal had secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over Morocco in extra time, after a last-minute penalty from Brahim Diaz was missed.
But on Tuesday, March 17, CAF’s Appeals Board ruled that Senegal would no longer be recognized as champions.
The decision stems from Senegal’s 17-minute walk-off during the final, which occurred after Morocco was awarded a stoppage-time penalty.
CAF cited Article 82 of the tournament regulations, which states that any team leaving the field without the referee’s permission will be deemed the loser and eliminated.
As a result, Morocco has been officially awarded a 3-0 victory, claiming their first AFCON title in 50 years.
“What happened has gone too far,” Mane said.
“This is not the football we fight for, not the Africa we believe in.
“There is too much corruption in our game, and it’s killing the passion of millions of fans across the continent. Players give everything on the pitch, but decisions off it are deciding matches and trophies.
“I’m deeply disappointed not just for Senegal, but for African football as a whole. We deserve better. The fans deserve fairness, transparency, and respect.”
The Senegalese Football Federation has announced it will appeal CAF’s ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, describing the decision as “unfair, unprecedented, and unacceptable.”
