Senegalese government has called for an independent international investigation into suspected corruption at Confederation of African Football (CAF) after the body stripped the country of its 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title and awarded it to Morocco.

Senegal had beaten Morocco 1-0 in January’s final, but CAF overturned the result on Tuesday after ruling that Senegal’s players forfeited the match by walking off the pitch in protest. The protest followed a controversial stoppage-time penalty awarded to hosts Morocco.

Play eventually resumed after a 17-minute delay, with Morocco’s Brahim Díaz seeing his penalty saved before Senegal’s Pape Gueye scored the winning goal in extra time.

However, following an appeal by the Moroccan Football Federation, CAF ruled that Senegal had forfeited the match, recording it as a 3-0 victory for Morocco.

In a strongly worded statement, the Senegalese government described the decision as “unprecedented and exceptionally serious”, accusing CAF of a “manifestly erroneous interpretation of the regulations” that resulted in a “grossly illegal and deeply unjust decision”.

The Senegalese Football Federation has confirmed it will challenge the ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

–ChannelAfrica–