It’s outrageous – Ex-Senegal coach Alain Giresse attacks CAF over AFCON 2025 title decision

Former Senegal coach Alain Giresse has attacked the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) decision to award the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title to Morocco.

The continental football governing body (CAF) Appeal Board dropped a bombshell on Tuesday night, annulling Senegal’s AFCON 2025 success and awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory.

In a landmark ruling issued under Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON regulations, CAF upheld an appeal lodged by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), setting aside the earlier decision of the Disciplinary Board.

The decision stems from dramatic scenes during the final, when Senegal players walked off the pitch for over 17 minutes in protest against a late penalty awarded to Morocco.

Following Sadio Mane’s intervention, the Teranga Lions returned to the pitch for the continuation of the match and subsequently prevailed with a narrow win through Pape Gueye after Brahim Diaz had missed the penalty that had triggered the protest.

CAF, however, ruled that the conduct of the Senegal team constituted a breach of the competition’s regulations. As a result, the Federation Senegalaise de Football (FSF) was found to have infringed Article 82, leading to the forfeiture of the match under Article 84.

“It’s outrageous. They rely on regulations that they scrutinize down to the smallest detail, but the Senegalese national team has already been punished with hefty fines and penalties. Now, they’re turning the sanctions onto the sporting side only.”

“Two months later, these gentlemen from the Confederation of African Football, the influential figures in football, claim that the Senegalese, by leaving the field, confused the Moroccans and caused them to lose the match. What nonsense is this? Who suffered more psychologically in this final match, which was very exceptional – with the towel incident in the middle of the match, who suffered more psychologically? Senegal.”

“However, they say that Morocco suffered more, and this is pure nonsense. When I see what football means in Africa, does the Confederation of African Football really think that this decision will improve the image of African football? What will they be proud of? Do they think they will come out of this looking stronger by showing how strictly they enforce the regulations?”

“There has to be some logic to it. After the initial sanctions, this decision is a knockout blow for the Senegalese; it’s like bullfighting. They suffered a crushing defeat, and then suddenly! It seems like outright persecution.”

Alain Giresse, who led the Senegal national team between 2013 and 2015 has had spells with several African countries including Tunisia, Mali and Gabon from Africa, as well as Georgia and Kosovo in Europe.

He also coached the Moroccan Royal Army Club, and the French clubs Toulouse and Paris Saint-Germain.