CAS decision crucial in AFCON title dispute

Johannesburg: Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe said on Sunday that he will “respect” the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s (CAS) decision on Senegal’s appeal against being stripped of the Africa Cup of Nations title.

At a press conference in Cairo after a meeting of CAF officials, Motsepe said, “I will respect and implement the CAS decision. My personal opinion on this matter has no meaning.”

Senegal’s appeal came after the CAF Appeals Body overturned Senegal’s 1-0 win over hosts Morocco in last month’s Cup of Nations final.

Several Senegalese players, head coach Pape Thiaw, and his staff left the field in Rabat after Morocco was awarded an extra-time penalty.

After their return, Brahim Diaz missed his penalty. Pape Gueye scored in extra time to win the title decider.

CAF’s disciplinary committee later fined various individuals from both teams, but the result was not overturned. Morocco subsequently appealed and was awarded a 3-0 victory. Motsepe stressed that the appeals board consists of independent judges and lawyers.
When Senegal played Peru in a 2026 World Cup warm-up in Paris on Saturday, they paraded the Cup of Nations trophy.
Senegal then wore shirts with two stars – one for their first Cup of Nations win in 2022 and the other for their controversial victory in January.
Motsepe said he would visit Senegal and Morocco, without specifying dates, to emphasize the importance of “working together to grow African football.”
A statement said CAF was “making changes and improvements to its laws and regulations to strengthen trust and confidence in (African) referees, VAR operators and judicial bodies.”
“These changes and improvements to the laws and regulations will also ensure that the incidents that occurred in the final… do not happen again.”