Senegal parade Africa Cup of Nations trophy despite being stripped of title
Players and staff of the Senegal national team have paraded the Africa Cup of Nations trophy in front of fans in France, despite being officially stripped of the title just days earlier.
The controversial celebration took place ahead of a sold-out friendly against Peru at the Stade de France on Saturday.
Cheers erupted as captain Kalidou Koulibaly and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy held the silverware aloft for the Parisian crowd.
The squad then completed a lap of honour and posed for group photographs with the cup.
Appeal launched after forfeit ruling
The Lions of Teranga originally secured a dramatic extra-time victory over hosts Morocco in January’s chaotic tournament finale.
However, the Confederation of African Football (Caf) revoked that triumph on 18 March after ruling the team had officially forfeited the match.
Manager Pape Thiaw had instructed his players to leave the pitch following the award of a late Moroccan penalty, causing a lengthy delay before they returned.
Despite the eventual victory sealed by Pape Gueye’s long-range strike, the governing body determined the walk-off constituted an automatic 3-0 default loss.
‘Grossly unfair administrative robbery’
The West African nation fundamentally rejects the disciplinary decision and continues to operate as the reigning continental champions.
Officials have proudly added a second star to the national team’s kit to commemorate the disputed success alongside their 2021 victory.
Senegal Football Federation president Abdoulaye Fall vehemently condemned the governing body’s intervention.
“This is the most grossly unfair administrative robbery in the history of the sport.”
A formal complaint has now been lodged with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas), though a final legal resolution may take several months.
