Media Kampung – 29 Maret 2026 | Senegal displayed the Africa Cup of Nations trophy on the pitch of Stade de France on Saturday, openly rejecting the Confederation of African Football’s decision to strip them of the title and emphasizing their claim as rightful champions.
The CAF Appeals Committee had reversed the 1‑0 extra‑time win over Morocco in Rabat, awarding a 3‑0 forfeit to the hosts after Senegal temporarily left the field in protest over a late VAR‑awarded penalty that sparked a 17‑minute delay.
The Senegalese Football Federation immediately filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, describing the CAF ruling as “unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable” and urging an international inquiry into the decision.
The appeal coincided with the national team’s first match since the controversy, a friendly against Peru, which attracted an estimated 70,000 members of the Senegalese diaspora gathered in Paris and served as a preview for the upcoming World Cup.
Before kickoff, a video montage showed the AFCON cup travelling to Paris, and the real trophy emerged from the players’ tunnel carried by captain Kalidou Koulibaly and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, both former Chelsea teammates.
The squad took turns lifting the golden cup, with a special acknowledgment for head coach Pape Thiaw, the architect of the walk‑off in Rabat, whose tactical decision remains at the heart of the dispute.
When asked if he regretted the walk‑off, Thiaw replied that the team felt pride in bringing the trophy back to Senegal, stressing that the symbolic act outweighed any administrative penalty.
Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye summed up the squad’s sentiment, calling the CAF decision “ridiculous” and insisting that the players earned the trophy on the pitch, not in boardrooms.
Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy echoed the sentiment, raising two fingers to signify Senegal’s two AFCON titles and declaring that the team would continue to fight for recognition wherever they play.
CAF’s announcement, which declared Morocco the champion, prompted protests from the Senegalese government and calls for an impartial international investigation into the procedural handling of the case.
CAS has indicated it will render a judgment as swiftly as possible, acknowledging the high public interest and pledging a fair hearing for both the federation and the continental governing body.
Regardless of the pending legal outcome, Senegal’s public display in Paris underscored the team’s resolve to be regarded as champions, sending a clear message to CAF, fans, and the global football community that the trophy remains theirs until a final verdict is issued.
Artikel ini dipublikasikan oleh Media Kampung.
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