Senegal’s president, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, has sparked fresh controversy after updating his social media profile to feature the AFCON trophy, despite a ruling stripping the country of its 2025 title.
The move comes weeks after the Confederation of African Football awarded Morocco a 3–0 victory following a review of the final match.
Senegal had originally won the game, with Pape Gueye scoring in extra time. However, the match was marred by disputes after Senegal walked off the pitch during regulation time in protest over key decisions.
The team objected to a disallowed goal by Ismaila Sarr and a late penalty awarded to Morocco after a VAR check. Players later returned to the pitch, where Morocco’s Brahim Diaz missed the penalty, forcing extra time.
CAF later ruled against Senegal, overturning the result and handing Morocco the title.
The decision has been strongly rejected by the Senegalese Football Federation. Its Secretary General, Abdoulaye Sow, said the country would not return the trophy, describing the ruling as unjust.
He said the federation was engaging with relevant bodies and insisted Senegal had a valid claim to the title.
President Faye’s updated profile picture appears to reinforce that stance, signalling national resistance to CAF’s decision.
The dispute has drawn widespread reaction across the football community, with debate continuing over officiating standards and the use of VAR in high-stakes matches.
With Senegal refusing to surrender the trophy, the row shows no sign of easing, raising the prospect of a prolonged standoff between the country and African football authorities.
