Senegal's Defiant Trophy Parade Amidst Title Controversy

Thu Mar 26 2026 17:29:26 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

In a display of resilience, Senegal plans to parade their Africa Cup of Nations trophy in Paris despite the recent reversal of their title by the Confederation of African Football.

Senegal's football federation has announced a trophy parade in Paris ahead of their friendly match against Peru. This comes after the Confederation of African Football revoked their Africa Cup of Nations title, a decision Senegal is contesting in a legal battle. FSF president Abdoulaye Fall expressed strong opposition to the ruling, declaring a 'crusade' against what they call an 'administrative robbery.' As the appeal moves to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, Senegal's determination remains unwavering.

Senegal plans to parade the Africa Cup of Nations trophy before their game against Peru in Paris on Saturday, with the head of the country's Football Federation vowing a 'crusade' against the decision to strip the team of the title.

The Lions of Teranga claimed their second Afcon title on 18 January when they beat hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time in a final which ended in chaotic scenes when the Senegal players walked off the pitch after their opponents were awarded a stoppage-time penalty with the match goalless.

However, last week the Confederation of African Football (Caf) overturned that result, awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory.

On Tuesday, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) confirmed receipt of Senegal's appeal against that decision, promising to rule as swiftly as possible.

Faced with what amounts to the most blatant and unprecedented administrative robbery in the history of our sport, the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) refuses to accept this as inevitable, FSF president Abdoulaye Fall said at a media conference in the French capital.

Shortly before making these comments, FSF social media posted a timetable for events around Saturday's friendly at the Stade de France which included a trophy parade.

Senegal will not bend the knee and will not compromise its values, added Fall. Our fight now transcends the football pitch.

Following the controversial final in Rabat, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) lodged a complaint with Caf and FIFA, claiming that Senegal leaving the field "greatly affected the normal course of the match and the players' morale".

Caf's disciplinary committee initially rejected that appeal, instead issuing sanctions against both sides, including a five-match ban for Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw. The FRMF argued those original penalties did not "reflect the seriousness of the incidents", and Caf's appeals board ultimately agreed, stating that Senegal had contravened specific articles of competition regulations.

Senegal's government has called for an investigation into suspected corruption at Caf, claims rebuffed by the governing body's president, Patrice Motsepe, who emphasized the independence of the appeal board.

The final decision on who claims the 2025 Afcon title now rests with Cas, sport's highest judicial authority. FSF has appointed a legal team to fight their case, asserting strong objections to the ruling.

With Senegal's planned parade as a sign of defiance, the struggle to reclaim the title remains intensely contested.