The Senegalese government has called for an investigation into alleged corruption at African football’s governing body after the country was stripped of the Africa Cup of Nations title.
Senegal were crowned AFCON champions on January 18 with a 1-0 victory over Morocco. However, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) said in statement on Tuesday, 57 days after the AFCON final, that its appeal board had declared Senegal to have forfeited the game, with the result recorded as a 3-0 Morocco victory.
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The government of Senegal on Wednesday expressed “deep dismay” at the “unlawful” decision and promised to pursue legal action.
“This unprecedented decision, of exceptional gravity, directly contravenes the cardinal principles underpinning sporting ethics, foremost among which are fairness, loyalty and respect for the truth of the pitch,” its statement read. “It stems from a manifestly erroneous interpretation of the regulations, leading to a grossly unlawful and profoundly unjust decision.
“By calling into question a result achieved at the end of a match that was duly played to its conclusion and won in accordance with the rules of the game, CAF is seriously undermining its own credibility as well as the legitimate trust that the African people place in the continent’s sporting institutions.
“Senegal cannot tolerate an administrative decision that erases commitment, merit and sporting excellence. Senegal unequivocally rejects this attempt at unjustified dispossession.
“It calls for the opening of an independent international inquiry into allegations of corruption within the governing bodies of CAF.
“Furthermore, Senegal will pursue all appropriate legal avenues, including before the relevant international courts, to ensure that justice is done and that the primacy of sporting results is restored.”
On Wednesday evening, CAF president Patrice Motseppe said in a statement: “I’m told that Senegal are going to appeal, which is very important. Each one of the 54 nations in Africa has a right to pursue its appeals at the highest levels.
“Not only in the highest level in Africa but also the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). We will adhere to and respect the decision that is taken at the highest level.
“No African nation will be treated in a way that is preferential or advantageous or more favourable than any other country on the African continent.”
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The 64-year-old, who was appointed in 2021, continued: “When I became president, one of the major concerns was the impartiality and the respect of referees and match commissioners. A lot of good work has been done, but there continues to be suspicion because it is a legacy issue. Something that has been there for many years.”
The decision relates to an alleged breach of AFCON regulations after Senegal walked off the pitch during the final in protest at a refereeing decision.
Referee Jean-Jacques Ndala Ngambo awarded Morocco a penalty in second-half stoppage time after being recommended a review by the video assistant referee. The decision came after Senegal had a match-winning goal disallowed minutes before.
Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw instructed his players to leave the pitch, with only captain Sadio Mane encouraging them to stay and continue playing.
Sixteen minutes after the spot-kick was awarded, Senegal’s players returned to the field. Brahim Diaz took the penalty and this was saved by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. Senegal won the game 1-0 via a Pape Gueye strike in extra time.
CAF said the decision to strip Senegal of the title came after an appeal from the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF).
According to CAF’s statement, the Senegal team’s actions were “within the scope of articles 82 and 84″ of its AFCON regulations. CAF said Senegal “infringed article 82”, which states that a team will forfeit the game if it “leaves the ground before the regular end of the match without the authorisation of the referee.” Article 84 says that the offending team will forfeit the game 3-0, unless their opponents were leading by a more advantageous scoreline.
The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) called the verdict “unfair” and announced it would appeal the ruling to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
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In its own statement, released on Wednesday evening, the FRMF said it “welcomes a ruling that upholds respect for rules that are necessary for the proper functioning of international competition” and insisted that its decision to appeal to CAF “has never been about challenging the sporting performance of the teams involved, but solely to ensure that the tournament rules are respected”.
The Senegalese government statement continued: “The Government takes this opportunity to reaffirm the solidarity of the entire nation with the Senegalese nationals detained in Morocco following the incidents at the Africa Cup of Nations final. It is fully committed to monitoring this matter to ensure a successful outcome as soon as possible.
“Senegal will remain resolute, vigilant and unyielding in defending the rights of the Senegalese national team and restoring the honour of African sport.”
The FRMF acknowledged the decision, saying that it “wishes to emphasise that its approach has never been intended to challenge the sporting performance of the teams taking part in this competition, but merely to call for the enforcement of the competition rules.”
