Senegal calls for inquiry into removal of its Africa Cup of Nations title

Senegal’s government on Wednesday called for an ​international investigation into what it said ‌was suspected corruption within the Confederation of African Football (CAF) after the country was stripped ​of its 2025 Africa Cup of ​Nations title.

CAF’s appeals board ruled on Tuesday ⁠that Senegal had “forfeited” the January final ​by briefly leaving the pitch in protest ​during stoppage time, converting a 1-0 extra-time win into a 3-0 default defeat in favour of ​hosts Morocco.

In a statement, the government ​condemned CAF’s ruling as “grossly illegal and profoundly unjust” ‌and ⁠called for the opening of an international independent investigation to address what it described as suspicions of corruption inside CAF’s ​leadership.

The Senegalese Football Federation ​earlier said it would appeal the ​decision ⁠to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, calling the ruling unprecedented and unacceptable ⁠and ​vowing to file its ​challenge in Lausanne “as soon as possible.”