Sports 26 March 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Senegal Football Federation Launches Fierce Legal Battle Over Stripped Afcon Title
Senegal's soccer leaders have promised a relentless 'crusade' against CAF's ruling that revoked their African Cup of Nations victory, filing an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Legal experts caution that the dispute could challenge the finality of referee decisions in global football. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/sports/soccer/senegal-soccer-chief-vows-crusade-against-decision-to-strip-afcon-title-5404290
The president of the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF), Abdoulaye Fall, has declared a ‘moral and legal crusade’ following the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) decision to strip Senegal of their Afcon title.
This stems from the final match in Rabat on January 18, where Senegal walked off in protest over a controversial penalty awarded to Morocco. They returned, scored in extra time, and secured a 1-0 win, but CAF later ruled it a forfeit.
FSF lawyers, including Juan de Dios Crespo Perez, slammed the verdict as ‘crude, absurd, and irrational,’ arguing it breaches the Laws of the Game and the principle that referee calls are final. Perez warned that upholding it could mean future tournaments like the World Cup get settled in courtrooms, not on the field.
The federation appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Wednesday. Their Paris-based legal team, led by figures like Serge Vittoz, is pushing for an expedited process, normally lasting 9-12 months, and demands CAF explain its opaque ruling.
Senegal, already World Cup-bound, faces Peru in a Paris friendly this Saturday. The FSF plans to showcase the Afcon trophy at the Stade de France beforehand, signaling their claim to championship status remains intact.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)