Senegal to Showcase AFCON Trophy Amid Legal Dispute

Senegal's national football team is set to parade the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy in Paris on Saturday during a friendly match against Peru. This event occurs amid a legal battle with Morocco concerning the 2025 title.

Senegalese Football Federation President Abdoulay Fall stated that Senegal believes they won the tournament on January 18, defeating Morocco 1-0 in extra time. The match ended in chaos, with Senegalese players leaving the pitch late in the game after Morocco was awarded a stoppage-time penalty, leveling the score.

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation lodged a complaint with CAF and FIFA, leading to a disciplinary committee's initial rejection of their protest. However, Morocco's appeal argued that the sanctions imposed on Senegal, including a five-match ban for coach Pape Thiaw, did not reflect the seriousness of the incident.

On March 17, CAF's appeal board ruled that Senegal breached competition regulations by leaving the pitch without the referee's permission.