The Senegalese government has called for an "independent international investigation" into corruption following the decision by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to strip the country of its Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title and award it to Morocco. CAF's ruling came after a review by its appeals board into the chaotic events of the final match two months ago, which has sparked significant controversy and diplomatic friction between the two nations.
According to the ruling, Senegal is "declared to have forfeited" the final, a 1-0 victory after extra time, due to the team leaving the field for a 14-minute protest during normal time against the awarding of a penalty to Morocco – a penalty that was missed when play resumed. Consequently, the result is now officially recorded as 3-0 in favor of host nation Morocco. In a statement on Wednesday, Senegal's government spokeswoman Marie Rose Khady Fatou Faye asserted: "By calling into question a result achieved at the end of a match that was properly played and won in accordance with the rules of the game, the CAF seriously undermines its own credibility." She emphasized Senegal's rejection of what she termed an "unjustified attempt at dispossession" and urged for scrutiny of suspected corruption within CAF's governing bodies.
Senegal's Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko previously intervened in the fallout, aligning with the national football federation in condemning Morocco's jailing of 18 Senegalese fans following violence during a pitch invasion amid the player protest in the January 18 final in Rabat. Regarding the February sentencing, which ranged from three months to a year and included fines, he told the Senegalese parliament: "It seems this matter goes beyond the realm of sport and that is regrettable. For two countries that call each other friends, like Morocco and Senegal, things should not have gone this far." This highlights the escalating tensions and broader geopolitical implications beyond the sporting arena.
The Senegal Football Federation (FSF) announced on Wednesday that it will appeal CAF's decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. In a statement, the federation denounced the ruling as "unfair, unprecedented, and unacceptable," warning that it "casts a shadow over African football." The FSF plans to initiate the appeal promptly, though such challenges can take up to a year for the court to adjudicate, potentially prolonging the dispute and undermining confidence in African football governance. CAF has not immediately responded to requests for comment from Reuters, adding to the opacity surrounding the decision-making process.
Source: www.aljazeera.com