Senegal have been sensationally stripped of the African Cup of Nations crown, two months after their trophy parade.
In a remarkable decision, African football bosses upheld Morocco’s claim that Senegal’s stoppage time walk-off meant they had broken the Laws of the game.
Senegal coach Pape Thiaw ordered his “Lions of Teranga” off the pitch in Rabat on January 18 after the hosts were awarded a penalty for the final kick of the match.
Congolese referee Jean Jacques Ndala gave the spot kick after a VAR intervention for a foul by West Ham’s El Hadji Malick Diouf on Real Madrid’s Braham Diaz.
Senegal were already furious that a late “winner” by Crystal Palace’s Ismaila Sarr had been ruled out for a timid push.
As Diaz prepared to take the penalty – which he subsequently missed with a failed “Panenka”, Thiaw told his players to leave the pitch in protest, although former Liverpool striker Sadio Mane urged them to return.
When play did resume, Villarreal midfielder Pape Gueye won the match with an extra-time strike.
But Morocco claimed the match was over at the moment Senegal refused to play on.
And now that argument has been upheld with Confederation of African Football’s appeal board siding with the North African side.
A CAF spokesman said: “The CAF Appeal Board decided that the Senegal National Team is declared to have forfeited the Final Match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations.
“The result of the Match is now being recorded as 3–0 in favour of Morocco.”
CAF added: “The appeal lodged by the Moroccan FA is declared admissible in form and the appeal is upheld.
“The original decision of the CAF Disciplinary Board is set aside.”
CAF’s decision is certain to cause outrage in Senegal, where the final victory brought huge national scenes of celebration.
