The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially stripped Senegal of its 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title. The decision, announced on April 15, 2026, follows a disciplinary review of the final match against Morocco, which Senegal won 2-1. CAF cited the use of an ineligible player by the Senegalese federation as the grounds for the sanction, awarding the championship to Morocco by forfeit.
In response, Senegalese midfielder Pape Gueye, who played in the final, has publicly refused to return his gold medal. In a video statement posted to social media, Gueye declared, "We are the champions on the pitch. This decision from an office cannot erase that. I earned this medal with my teammates and I will not give it back." His stance has garnered significant support from fans and some fellow players.
The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has stated it will appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The FSF argues the player eligibility issue was a minor administrative error and does not reflect the sporting merit of the victory. The controversy has sparked a wider debate about governance and the application of regulations in African football.
CAF has maintained that its rules on player registration are clear and must be enforced uniformly to ensure the integrity of its competitions. The governing body has given the FSF a deadline to return the trophy and all medals. The 2025 AFCON, held in Morocco, was notably the first edition to take place in the Northern Hemisphere's summer.
