Pape Thiaw says everyone knows Senegal are champions after AFCON ruling | OneFootball

Pape Thiaw has responded to the decision that stripped Senegal of the Africa Cup of Nations title in favour of Morocco, saying trophies are won on the pitch and that everyone knows Senegal are African champions. He spoke on Friday on the eve of the friendly against Peru at the Stade de France, kick-off 17:00.

According to Le Progres, this was his first public appearance since 17 March.

The Peru game will be Senegal's first since the chaotic final in Rabat on 18 January, which they initially won 1-0 after extra time. Senegal's players briefly left the pitch after a stoppage-time penalty was awarded to Morocco, which Brahim Diaz missed.

Two months later, the CAF appeals jury removed Senegal's victory, citing rules that say a team refusing to play or leaving before full time loses and is eliminated.

The Senegalese federation lodged an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport on Wednesday. Its president, Abdoulaye Fall, told a Paris media briefing on Thursday that the team had suffered the grossest administrative heist in the sport.

Idrissa Gueye, who recently said he was ready to return medals to Morocco to ease tensions between the countries, added that he believes they deserve to be champions on the pitch and will try to achieve the same off it. He said the emotions they experienced cannot be replaced and highlighted three finals and two titles in the past four editions.

Source: Le Progres