Senegal players post pictures of Afcon medals after being stripped of title | OneFootball

Some of Senegal’s players have reacted to the news that they had been stripped of the Africa Cup of Nations title by posted pictures of their trophy and medals, following the controversial decision to award Morocco victory.

The Confederation of African Football (Caf) Appeal Board ruled on Tuesday night that Senegal forfeited the final, played on 18 January, after they walked off the pitch and into the dressing room in protest of Morocco being awarded a late penalty.

Senegal, who went on to win the farcical final in Rabat after Brahim Diaz missed the penalty and Pape Sarr scored an extra-time winner, have confirmed that they will take the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) in Switzerland after Morocco were awarded a 3-0 win.

Senegal players celebrate with the Africa Cup of Nations trophy after beating Morocco (AFP via Getty Images)

The official X account of the Senegal team initially responded to the seismic ruling from Caf by posting a video of their homecoming trophy celebrations, as their players celebrated a second Afcon title in front of their jubilant fans. The account added an ‘ok’ emoji.

And players of the team also responded by uploading images of their post-match celebrations. Pathe Ciss, the defensive midfielder, posted a series of laughing face emojis as he posed with the Afcon trophy and his winner’s medal - which will now have to be returned following the Caf Appeal Board’s decision.

Moussa Niakhate, the centre-back, shared a photo from the aftermath of the 18 January final, along with the caption: “This is not AI, this is real”. Habib Diarra, the Sunderland midfielder, also posted a picture of him holding the Afcon trophy shortly after the unprecedented ruling.

Under Afcon regulations, if a team “refuses to play or leaves the ground before the regular end of the match without the authorisation of the referee”, they will be deemed the loser and their opponents will automatically be given a 3-0 win, as per Articles 82 and 84.

And Caf has confirmed stuck by its own rules, saying in its statement that Senegal “infringed Article 82 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations” and “in application of Article 84 ... the Senegal team is declared to have forfeited the match”.

The final in Rabat descended into chaos deep into stoppage time when hosts Morocco were awarded a penalty after a VAR review by Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala as Diaz went down the box under the challenge of El Hadji Malick Diouf.

Senegal, who had an opening goal disallowed for a soft foul on Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi moments before, were outraged and the majority of the Senegal team, led by head coach Pape Thiaw, stormed off the pitch, leading to a 14-minute delay.

Teranga Lions talisman Sadio Mane remained on the touchline before retrieving his team after a lengthy delay, with referee Jean-Jacques Ndala losing complete control of the match.

Diaz then stepped up to take the penalty in the 24th minute of additional time, only to see his abysmal ‘Panenka’ attempt force Mendy into the easiest of saves, with the game therefore forced into extra time.

Pape Sarr went on to score the winner in stunning fashion for Senegal in the 94th minute, with his rocket of an effort proving the difference on the night and seemingly the Atlas Lions a first Afcon title for 50 years.

Thiaw was later suspended, although only for matches in the next Afcon qualifiers, which start after the World Cup in June, for which both Morocco and Senegal have qualified.

But thanks to this jaw-dropping turn of events, the result has been flipped and Morocco and will travel to this summer’s global showpiece as the champions of Africa.

Abdoulaye Seydou Sow, the Secretary General of SFF, told state broadcaster RTS1: “This is a travesty; this decision is based on absolutely nothing. It has no legal foundation.

"And from what we saw this morning when the hearing began, we already had serious doubts clearly, the judge did not come to rule on the case, he came to carry out orders.

“The president of the federation will get in touch with the lawyers; we will engage with the appropriate authorities, and then we will go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which will issue the final decision.

“We will not back down. Senegalese people should have no doubt. The truth is on Senegal's side, the law is on Senegal's side.”