SENEGAL CALLS FOR INTERNATIONAL INVESTIGATION INTO CAF'S CORRUPTION OVER AFCON FINAL VERDICT

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BY JEN NOMAMIUKOR

The Senegalese government has accused CAF of corruption after the organization‘s Appeals Board decided that Senegal had forfeited the AFCON final following players leaving the pitch to protest a referee‘s decision.

The ruling said Senegal had breached sections of the AFCON regulations and named Morocco the champions.

The verdict was made while addressing Morocco’s appeal challenging an initial decision by CAF’s Disciplinary Committee, which had dismissed the country’s plea to overturn the match.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Senegalese government said the Appeals Board’s decision “erases commitment, merit, and sporting excellence” and is “grossly illegal and profoundly unjust”.

The government then called for an “independent international investigation into suspected corruption within the CAF’s governing bodies”.

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“This unprecedented decision, of exceptional gravity, directly contradicts the cardinal principles that underpin sporting ethics, foremost among which are fairness, loyalty, and respect for the truth of the game. It stems from a manifestly erroneous interpretation of the regulations, leading to a grossly illegal and profoundly unjust decision,” the statement reads.

“By calling into question a result achieved at the end of a match that was properly played to its conclusion and won in accordance with the rules of the game, the CAF seriously undermines its own credibility as well as the legitimate trust that the African people place in continental sporting institutions.

Senegal cannot accept an administrative decision that undermines commitment, merit, and sporting excellence. Senegal firmly rejects this unjustified attempt at dispossession.