By Dylan Bettencourt
- CAF ruled Senegal forfeited the Africa Cup of Nations final because Senegalese players walked off the pitch during the game.
- The Senegalese Football Federation called the CAF decision unjust and plans to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has stripped Senegal of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) title and declared Morocco the new champions.
CAF made the announcement on Tuesday, two months after the chaotic final in Rabat. CAF recorded the result as a 3-0 win for Morocco.
Senegalese players walked off the pitch on 18 January while the final was still being played. They were protesting a penalty awarded to Morocco deep in stoppage time.
Captain Sadio Mane eventually convinced his teammates to come back. Morocco then missed the penalty after goalkeeper Edouard Mendy easily saved a weak chip from Real Madrid winger Brahim Diaz.
Pape Gueye then scored in extra time to give Senegal a 1-0 win on the night. But CAF ruled the match a forfeit.
CAF regulations say any team that leaves the ground before the end of a match without the referee’s permission loses 3-0.
“The Senegalese Football Federation condemns this unjust, unprecedented and unacceptable decision, which brings African football into disrepute,” the federation said. It will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Senegalese defender Moussa Niakhate, who plays for Lyon in France, posted on social media with a message reading “they’re mad.”
Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded the controversial penalty in the 24th minute of added time after a video review.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino, who attended the final, condemned the scenes. “It is unacceptable to leave the field of play in this manner,” Infantino said.
CAF had already fined both countries for unsportsmanlike conduct and fair play violations in January.
The appeal trial of 18 Senegalese supporters in prison since the final, on sentences of between three months and one year for hooliganism, has been postponed to 30 March.
Pictured above: Senegal lifting the Afcon trophy.
Image source: @GaindeYi
