Senegal vs Morocco: CAF’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations verdict faces internal backlash

The drama surrounding the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final between Senegal and Morocco refuses to fade away. Two months after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) controversially awarded the title to Morocco by default, Senegal has taken legal action by appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Adding fuel to the fire, a key figure in the appeals jury has come forward with damning revelations.

In an exclusive interview, Faustino Varela Monteiro, vice-president of the appeals commission, openly challenged the decision. « I strongly disagree with this ruling, » he stated, revealing that he was the sole dissenting voice in the panel that upheld the controversial verdict against Senegal’s Lions of Teranga.

« I cannot endorse the interpretation that led to this outcome. When the referee allows a match to proceed to its conclusion, it implies no abandonment occurred. For disciplinary bodies to rule otherwise contradicts the very essence of sport. »

Internal dissent over CAF’s controversial decision

The vice-president further argued that « if match outcomes can be retroactively altered, the very concept of a final decision becomes meaningless. » He emphasized that the CAS would only reconsider the case if there were clear evidence of arbitrariness or bias in the original ruling.

On January 18 in Rabat, Senegal secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over Morocco in extra time, with Pape Gueye scoring the decisive goal. However, the match was briefly halted when Senegalese players protested an awarded penalty to Morocco in stoppage time—a penalty ultimately missed by Brahim Diaz.

What’s next for the Lions of Teranga?

With Senegal pursuing legal recourse, the football world watches closely to see whether justice will prevail or if the CAF’s contentious decision will stand unchallenged.