Football Tensions Escalate As Morocco Sends Warning to Senegal Over Planned AFCON Title Parade
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations saga has taken a highly charged legal and diplomatic turn ahead of Senegal's friendly against Peru in Paris on Saturday, March 28. Moroccan lawyers have sent formal warnings to stadium operators and event organizers over Senegal's planned trophy presentation, escalating the dispute over the Africa Cup of Nations final.
Senegal Defies CAF Ruling with Parade Plans
Senegal originally celebrated their second AFCON title on January 18, after defeating Morocco 1-0 after extra time. The final was overshadowed by chaotic scenes, including players of the Teranga Lions walking off the pitch following a late penalty awarded to Morocco. Two months later, CAF overturned the result, awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory.
Senegal immediately filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which confirmed receipt of the case and promised a swift ruling. Despite the overturning of the title, Senegal has refused to back down. FSF president Abdoulaye Fall recently declared at a media conference in Paris that their fight now transcends the football pitch, emphasizing that Senegal will honor its perceived victory in front of fans during the friendly against Peru.
Social media channels from FSF also outlined a detailed timetable, including the trophy parade, signaling the federation's determination to assert its stance. According to BBC Sport, Senegal intends to parade the AFCON trophy during their friendly match against Peru at the Stade de France on March 28, despite CAF's controversial decision to award the title to Morocco.
Moroccan Lawyers Threaten Lawsuit Against Organizers
On the other side, Morocco has escalated the issue through legal channels. Mourad Elajouti, president of the "Moroccan Lawyers Club," revealed that formal notices had been sent to both the Stade de France operator and the GL Events group organizing the match.
The Moroccan legal team describes Senegal's planned parade as "usurpation of title" and a "manifestly unlawful disturbance." They have even threatened to pursue urgent judicial measures to physically seize the trophy, preventing its public display of the AFCON title until the appeal is resolved.
This unprecedented move shows the dispute has moved well beyond sport as Moroccan stakeholders argue that the CAF decision is legally binding and must be enforced, while Senegal insists that CAF has neither formally withdrawn the trophy nor demanded its return.
CAF Releases New Statement on AFCON Scandal
Earlier, CAF updated the AFCON 2025 review section on its official website and declared Morocco as the winner, with Senegal dropping to runners-up, while Nigeria remains third. However, an opening segment of the introductory statement still confirms Senegal as the champions and has yet to be updated or rewritten.
This latest clash highlights the growing legal and diplomatic dimension of the long-running conflict between the two countries, with both sides digging in their heels ahead of what promises to be a contentious weekend in Paris.
