Senegal launch CAS fight after CAF ruling, call decision absurd and say Morocco was rebuffed on trophy | OneFootball

Senegal’s football federation assembled a legal team in Paris to outline its strategy for a Court of Arbitration for Sport appeal against the CAF Appeals Jury decision that awarded Morocco the last AFCON off the pitch. Leaders said they are mobilising to reclaim the title.

According to L'Équipe, the federation has lodged its case with CAS and might later seek to accuse Morocco of corruption, although no decision has been taken on that step. A high profile legal team fronted a news conference on Thursday.

President Abdoulaye Fall set a combative tone, saying the 17 March ruling erased the Lions’ victory and that the FSF would not accept what he described as an administrative heist. He argued their cause goes beyond the pitch and concerns sporting ethics.

Counsel Seydou Diagne said Swiss, Spanish, French and Senegalese lawyers are involved and called the verdict absurd and irrational, adding it violated the federation’s fundamental rights. He likened the hearing to theatre and railed against the damage to due process and sporting discipline.

Diagne also said Morocco was turned down on two of four requests, including recovering the title and the return of bonuses and medals, which he believes leaves the tournament without a current winner. Senegal still consider themselves champions and will parade the trophy at the Stade de France against Peru on Saturday, 17:00. A CAS decision could take months.

Source: L'Équipe