Senegal Defies CAF Ruling by Parading Stripped AFCON Trophy at Stade de France

Senegal's national football team paraded the Africa Cup of Nations trophy in front of a packed Stade de France on Saturday, March 28, in open defiance of a ruling by the Confederation of African Football that stripped the country of the title eleven days earlier. Captain Kalidou Koulibaly, a centre-back who plays for Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal, led teammates onto the pitch carrying the trophy as part of pre-game celebrations before a friendly match against Peru. Coach Pape Thiaw, who is currently serving a five-match ban imposed by CAF for urging his players to leave the field during the final, also collected the trophy on the pitch. Legendary Senegalese singer Youssou N'Dour performed as players paraded with medals around their necks. The Senegalese Football Federation had announced the celebration in advance, describing it as an act of solidarity with the players and the Senegalese diaspora in France. Paris has a significant Senegalese community, and the stadium was filled to near capacity with supporters waving the tricolor flag of Senegal.

CAF stripped Senegal of title after players left the pitch The Confederation of African Football ruled on March 17, 2026, that Senegal had forfeited the final, converting the team's 1-0 extra-time victory into a 3-0 default win for Morocco. The decision by CAF's appeals board followed an incident in the January final in which Senegal players, led by their coach, left the field for approximately 15 minutes after a penalty was awarded to host nation Morocco. According to source articles, Moroccan players and ball boys had also repeatedly attempted to take the towel from Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy during the match, and Senegal had a goal disallowed before the penalty call. Real Madrid footballer Brahim Díaz ultimately missed the penalty, and Senegal went on to win in extra time through a goal by Pape Gueye. CAF's appeals board nonetheless ruled that the unauthorized departure from the field constituted a forfeiture of the final. The ruling came as a surprise to the Senegalese federation, which immediately announced it would not surrender the physical trophy.

„the most grossly unfair administrative robbery in the history of soccer” — Abdoulaye Fall via AP News

AFCON 2026 Title Dispute: — ; — ; — ; —

Moroccan lawyers sent formal demands to block the ceremony Mourad Elajouti, president of the Morocco Lawyers Club, sent formal demands to the operating company of the Stade de France and to the GL Events group ahead of the ceremony, warning that by lending cooperation to an event based on a revoked title, both entities risked direct legal responsibility. The demands did not prevent the ceremony from proceeding. Inside the stadium, the Senegalese federation screened highlights of the final, though according to Franceinfo, the segment showing Senegalese players leaving the pitch was not included in the broadcast. Fans in the stands held signs reading "CAF = manipulated football, the match is over, injustice begins," while others wore Morocco jerseys printed with the words "Thief 2 CAN." The atmosphere was described as festive, with confetti and music accompanying the trophy presentation. CAF, despite stripping Senegal of the title, rejected a request for the physical return of the trophy and the medals, which remained in Senegalese hands.

3-0 (default score) — CAF-awarded result overturning Senegal's 1-0 extra-time win

CAS appeal could take months, Senegal seeks expedited ruling The Court of Arbitration for Sport registered Senegal's appeal earlier in the week but set no timetable for a verdict, as such proceedings typically require months to schedule a hearing and additional weeks or months to deliver a ruling. Senegal's legal team has said it will request an expedited procedure and hopes both the Moroccan federation and CAF will agree to resolve the case within approximately two months. The Senegalese government, which promised the appeal, also called for an international investigation into suspected corruption within CAF in connection with the decision. The FSF filed the appeal against both CAF and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation. Meanwhile, the friendly match against Peru served as preparation for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, with Senegal and Peru set to be future opponents of France in the tournament. The outcome of the CAS process will determine which country officially holds the 2025 AFCON title, but no confirmed information is available on when a final ruling will be issued.

The Africa Cup of Nations has been a source of significant controversy in previous editions, with disputes over refereeing decisions and administrative rulings a recurring feature of the tournament. The 2026 edition was hosted by Morocco, making the final between the host nation and Senegal particularly high-profile. Senegal had previously won the AFCON title in 2022, ending a long wait for continental glory. The CAF, established on February 8, 1957, in Khartoum, Sudan, holds sole authority over the organization and adjudication of the tournament, making its rulings binding unless overturned by an external body such as CAS.