CAF strips Senegal of title, names Morocco champion

Senegal's Sadio Mane holds the trophy aloft as he celebrates with teammates after winning the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco in Rabat, Morocco. (AP )

GENEVA, March 18 (AP): Morocco was stunningly awarded the Africa Cup of Nations title by governing body judges who overturned Senegal’s victory in a chaotic final in January.

The Confederation of African Football said its appeals board ruled that Senegal is “declared to have forfeited the final” and its 1-0 win in extra time becomes a 3-0 default win for host nation Morocco.

The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has criticized the “unfair, unprecedented, and unacceptable decision” to strip its team of the Africa Cup of Nations title and award it to host nation Morocco two months after they contested the final.

The FSF said the decision “discredits African football,” and that it will appeal “as soon as possible” to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland, a process that would typically take a year to deliver a verdict.

“The FSF reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the values of integrity and sporting justice and will keep the public informed of developments in this matter,” the federation said in a statement.

In the Jan. 18 final in Rabat, Senegal players led by coach Pape Thiaw left the field in protest during stoppage time for 15 minutes - and fans tried to storm the field - when Morocco was awarded a penalty that was set to decide the match.

When play resumed, Morocco forward Brahim Diaz’s spot kick - a controversial, slow chip shot known as a “Panenka” - was saved by goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, and Senegal scored the only goal in extra time.

Tension in the stadium was already raised by Senegal being denied a goal minutes before the penalty was given to Morocco.

In the second minute of stoppage time, Senegal’s apparent go-ahead goal was ruled out for a foul by Abdoulaye Seck, but TV replays showed little contact on Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi. After the Senegal walk-off, the team’s return to the field seemed to be as a result of urging by star forward Sadio Mané to complete the game.

At an initial disciplinary hearing, CAF imposed fines of more than $1 million for Senegal and Morocco players and officials but left the result untouched.

Senegal defender Moussa Niakhaté on Instagram posted an image of himself holding the trophy with a message that said: “Come and get it! They’re crazy!”

In a similar post, left back El Hadj Malick Diouf added: “It’s not what I expected… this thing isn’t going anywhere.”

Abdoulaye Seydou Sow, secretary general of the Senegalese Football Federation, said the organization will file an appeal.

“We will not back down. The law is on our side,” Sow told the public broadcaster Radiodiffusion Télévision Sénégalaise late Tuesday.

He called the ruling a “shame for Africa.”