The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has ruled that Senegal have been kicked out of the Africa Cup of Nations for inappropriate behavior in the tournament final.
CAF Appeal Board Senegal was “declared to have been confiscated,” he said Final In January, because the team’s players walked off the pitch.
Senegal won the final 1-0. Tournament hosts Morocco are now 3-0 winners.
Senegal’s Sadio Mane celebrates with his teammates after winning the Africa Cup of Nations. Image: Reuters
Senegalese fans clashed with security as fans stormed the pitch. Image: Reuters
Senegal said it would appeal against the decision.
But CAF defended its ruling, citing the tournament’s rules, which state that if a team leaves the field without the referee’s permission, it will be considered a loser and disqualified.
The finale descends into chaos
Senegal’s players, led by coach Pape Thiau, left the field at Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdella stadium after Senegalese fans tried to storm the pitch after Morocco were awarded a penalty in the 98th minute.
Referee Jean-Jacques Nadala awards a penalty to Morocco after a VAR review. Image: Reuters
Tensions were high after Senegal were denied a goal just minutes before Morocco were awarded a penalty.
After a long delay, the players and coaches returned to the pitch where a penalty was saved by Senegal’s goalkeeper and Senegal won the match 1–0 in extra time.
Read more: How the controversy unfolded in the finale
said the Royal Moroccan Football Federation after the match It “follows due process of law”.The walk-off “had a significant impact on the general course of the match and the performance of the players,” he said.
FIFA chief Gianni Infantino hit out at “unacceptable scenes on the pitch and in the stands” as he criticized the behavior of some “supporters” and Senegal players and staff.
An initial disciplinary CAF hearing left the result unchanged, but fined more than $1m (£750,000) and banned the Senegal and Morocco players.
Referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awards a penalty to Morocco after a VAR review. Image: Reuters
Abdoulaye Sedou Sou, secretary general of the Senegalese football federation, called the new ruling a “mockery” and “an insult to Africa”.
Senegal defender Moussa Niakhate posted a picture on Instagram of himself holding the trophy, with the message: “Come and get it! They’re crazy!”.
Tuesday’s ruling gave Morocco its first African title since 1976.
Senegal has not said where it will file its appeal. One option is the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), an independent, Switzerland-based body that resolves sports-related disputes through arbitration and arbitration.
Any appeal by Senegal to CAS usually takes a year to reach a ruling, meaning the dispute is likely to continue when both teams play at the 2026 World Cup later this year.
