Rabat, Morocco – March 20, 2026 – Former Senegal international El-Hadji Diouf has expressed shock and dismay following the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) decision to award the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) title to Morocco. The controversial ruling, stemming from incidents during the final match played in January, has sparked outrage in Senegal and prompted an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAS).
The CAF Jury of Appeal overturned the result of the final, declaring Senegal forfeited and the score adjusted to 3-0 in favor of Morocco. This decision, detailed in a CAF communiqué released on March 17, 2026, centers on Senegal’s temporary walk-off during the match, citing violations of articles 82 and 84 of the CAN regulations. Specifically, article 82 states that a team leaving the field without the referee’s permission is considered to have lost the match. Article 84 outlines the consequences, including forfeiture and a 3-0 scoreline.
Diouf, who played for RC Lens and Stade Rennais during his club career, voiced his frustration, stating, “Like everyone, I was shocked to hear this decision from CAF. We have appealed to TAS. Now, we exit everything in their hands. We are sure that we won on the field. The referee made us return to the field. They missed their penalty. After that, we played extra time and won. We finished the match.”
The former international continued, expressing concern for the image of African football. “I don’t have much to say, and I believe it’s ugly for African football. The world is pointing its finger at us, and that’s not good. This is not what African football needs. We demand everyone because we have a continent that hasn’t been free for very long. So, there are few things that can entertain us.”
Senegal’s government has also strongly condemned the CAF’s decision, calling it an “unprecedented” and “grave” injustice. A statement released on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, called for an international independent investigation into alleged corruption within CAF, citing concerns about the fairness of the ruling. The government is also working to secure the release of Senegalese supporters who were detained in Morocco following the final match.
Diouf echoed the sentiment of support from across the continent, adding, “I thank all the countries that also support Senegal and support justice today. And I believe that in a short time, the world will shed light on all of this.”
The CAF’s decision has raised significant questions about the integrity of the competition and the governing body’s impartiality. The initial match, played on January 18th, was marked by controversy, including a period where the Senegalese team temporarily left the pitch in protest. The specifics of those protests, and the subsequent CAF ruling, have fueled accusations of bias and a lack of due process.
The appeal to TAS represents Senegal’s last formal avenue for challenging the CAF’s decision. The Court of Arbitration for Sport, based in Lausanne, Switzerland, is the highest authority for resolving sports-related disputes. A ruling from TAS is anticipated in the coming weeks, and will likely have far-reaching implications for the future of the CAN tournament and the relationship between Senegal and CAF.
This situation underscores the growing scrutiny of governance within African football. The allegations of corruption and the perceived injustice of the ruling have ignited a debate about transparency and accountability within CAF. The outcome of the TAS appeal will be closely watched not only by Senegalese fans, but by the entire African football community.
As Senegal awaits the TAS ruling, the focus remains on upholding the principles of fair play and ensuring that the integrity of the game is protected. The controversy surrounding the CAN 2025 final serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing African football and the need for continued reform.
The next step in this unfolding saga is the hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Dates for the hearing have not yet been announced, but a decision is expected before the finish of April 2026. Archysport will continue to provide updates as this story develops.
