Senegal and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Idrissa Gueye has stated he is prepared to surrender his Africa Cup of Nations winner's medals to Morocco in an effort to calm diplomatic tensions following the controversial conclusion of the 2025 final. The gesture was reported by Senegalese and French media on March 21, 2026.
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, held in Morocco, ended in unprecedented controversy. Senegal was initially awarded the title after a 2-1 victory, but the result was later overturned by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). An official investigation confirmed allegations of biased refereeing, leading to Morocco being declared champion by default.
This decision sparked a major diplomatic rift between the two nations. In this context, Gueye, a key player in Senegal's on-field victory, made his conciliatory offer. "If it can help calm things down and restore respect between two brotherly peoples, I am ready to give my medals to the Moroccan players," Gueye was quoted as saying.
Analysts note that while symbolic, the player's statement highlights the ongoing fallout from the tournament's disputed ending. Official reactions from the Senegalese and Moroccan football federations to Gueye's personal offer have not yet been made public.
