Former France captain Patrice Evra has described the decision to strip Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title as “a scandal”, following the Confederation of African Football’s ruling to award the trophy to Morocco.
The announcement has sparked widespread reaction across the football world, with Evra among the most high-profile figures to speak out.
The former Manchester United defender, who has strong ties to Senegal, expressed anger at what he believes was an unjust outcome to the tournament.
Speaking in response to the decision, Evra criticised both the officiating during the final and the broader implications for the competition’s reputation.
He argued that the result on the pitch should not be overshadowed by administrative action taken after the match.
“There comes a point where you have to go too far; we all saw with our own eyes that Senegal won. But why is no one talking about this referee? Where is this referee? It’s sad, because the Africa Cup of Nations has truly lost its credibility.”
His remarks reflect a growing sense of frustration among observers following CAF’s verdict, which overturned the original result of the final.
The decision has drawn attention not only to the process behind the ruling but also to the role of officiating in the match itself.
Evra continued by expressing his dismay at the wider impact on African football, suggesting the situation undermines the integrity of the sport on the continent.
While acknowledging Morocco as the official winners, he questioned the legitimacy of the outcome.
“Congratulations to the Moroccan parents; two months later they’ll be savoring this trophy, but it’s a disgrace for African football. In any case, the real champion is Senegal, and it will always be Senegal.”
The former international concluded with a direct condemnation of the events, placing responsibility on the refereeing and describing the episode in stark terms.
“There was a disaster, but it’s the referee’s fault. This decision is unacceptable, it’s a scandal !”
His comments add to a growing list of reactions from players and figures within football, as debate continues over one of the most contentious conclusions to an Africa Cup of Nations tournament in recent memory.
