Senegal have sparked fresh controversy in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 saga after parading the trophy at the Stade de France, despite being officially stripped of the title.
The West African giants staged the symbolic celebration on Saturday ahead of their international friendly against Peru, in what many interpret as a bold act of defiance against the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The pre-match atmosphere was already electric, heightened by a performance from Senegalese music icon Youssou N’Dour, before captain Kalidou Koulibaly led his teammates on a lap of honour with the AFCON trophy in full view of fans.
Background to the Disputes
The controversy stems from the AFCON 2025 final between Senegal and Morocco, initially won 1–0 by Senegal after extra time. However, CAF later overturned the result on March 17, 2026, awarding Morocco a 3–0 victory.
The decision followed an incident during stoppage time when Senegal players briefly walked off the pitch in protest of a penalty awarded to Morocco. CAF ruled that the action violated competition regulations, effectively handing the title to the North African side.
Standoff Intensifies
Despite the ruling, Senegal have refused to return the trophy or winners’ medals, maintaining that the match was decided fairly on the pitch.
The Senegalese Footballer Federation has described the decision as unjust and has taken the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Morocco, on the other hand, have backed CAF’s decision and reportedly taken legal steps to prevent Senegal from publicly displaying the trophy.
What Happens Next?
CAS has confirmed it will hear the case, but a final ruling could take months. Until then, the physical trophy remains at the center of a growing dispute that has divided opinion across African and global football.
For now, Senegal’s parade in France sends a clear message—they still consider themselves champions, regardless of official records.
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