Senegal plans to parade the Africa Cup of Nations trophy before their game against Peru in Paris on Saturday, with the head of the country's Football Federation vowing a 'crusade' against the decision to strip the team of the title.
The Lions of Teranga claimed their second Afcon title on 18 January when they beat hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time in a final that ended in chaotic scenes when the Senegal players walked off the pitch after their opponents were awarded a stoppage-time penalty with the match goalless.
However, last week, the Confederation of African Football (Caf) overturned that result, awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory.
On Tuesday, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) confirmed receipt of Senegal's appeal against that decision, promising to rule 'as swiftly as possible'.
'Faced with what amounts to the most blatant and unprecedented administrative robbery in the history of our sport, the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) refuses to accept this as inevitable,' FSF president Abdoulaye Fall said at a media conference in the French capital.
Shortly before making his comments, FSF social media posted a timetable for events around Saturday's friendly at the Stade de France, which included a trophy parade.
'Senegal will not bend the knee and will not compromise its values,' added Fall. 'Our fight now transcends the football pitch.'
Following the controversial final in Rabat, in which Morocco and Real Madrid forward Brahim Diaz missed a Panenka penalty to win the match in the 114th minute, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) lodged a complaint with Caf and FIFA, claiming that Senegal leaving the field of play 'greatly affected the normal course of the match.' The Caf's disciplinary committee initially rejected that appeal, instead imposing sanctions on both sides, including a five-match ban for Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw.
The FRMF said those sanctions did not reflect the seriousness of the incidents, and Caf's appeal board agreed, releasing a statement indicating Senegal had contravened articles in competition regulations.
Senegal's government is now calling for an investigation into alleged corruption at Caf. Amid the escalating drama, the final decision on who claims the 2025 Afcon title now rests with Cas, the sport's highest judicial authority.
'We have appointed a team of seasoned professionals with undeniable expertise to wage this moral and legal crusade,' Fall announced in Paris, flanked by members of the FSF legal team. One lawyer described the decision to strip Senegal of their title as 'blatant' and 'absurd.' With signals of defiance, Senegal's planned trophy parade underscores their refusal to accept this decision as final.
The Lions of Teranga claimed their second Afcon title on 18 January when they beat hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time in a final that ended in chaotic scenes when the Senegal players walked off the pitch after their opponents were awarded a stoppage-time penalty with the match goalless.
However, last week, the Confederation of African Football (Caf) overturned that result, awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory.
On Tuesday, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) confirmed receipt of Senegal's appeal against that decision, promising to rule 'as swiftly as possible'.
'Faced with what amounts to the most blatant and unprecedented administrative robbery in the history of our sport, the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) refuses to accept this as inevitable,' FSF president Abdoulaye Fall said at a media conference in the French capital.
Shortly before making his comments, FSF social media posted a timetable for events around Saturday's friendly at the Stade de France, which included a trophy parade.
'Senegal will not bend the knee and will not compromise its values,' added Fall. 'Our fight now transcends the football pitch.'
Following the controversial final in Rabat, in which Morocco and Real Madrid forward Brahim Diaz missed a Panenka penalty to win the match in the 114th minute, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) lodged a complaint with Caf and FIFA, claiming that Senegal leaving the field of play 'greatly affected the normal course of the match.' The Caf's disciplinary committee initially rejected that appeal, instead imposing sanctions on both sides, including a five-match ban for Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw.
The FRMF said those sanctions did not reflect the seriousness of the incidents, and Caf's appeal board agreed, releasing a statement indicating Senegal had contravened articles in competition regulations.
Senegal's government is now calling for an investigation into alleged corruption at Caf. Amid the escalating drama, the final decision on who claims the 2025 Afcon title now rests with Cas, the sport's highest judicial authority.
'We have appointed a team of seasoned professionals with undeniable expertise to wage this moral and legal crusade,' Fall announced in Paris, flanked by members of the FSF legal team. One lawyer described the decision to strip Senegal of their title as 'blatant' and 'absurd.' With signals of defiance, Senegal's planned trophy parade underscores their refusal to accept this decision as final.
