Senegal star Pape Gueye vows not to return AFCON 2025 medal

Senegal international Pape Gueye has delivered a bold and defiant response to the ongoing controversy surrounding the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, insisting Senegal remain the worthy champions despite an official ruling to the contrary.

The debate erupted after the Appeal Committee of the Confederation of African Football made the stunning decision to strip Senegal of the title and award it to Morocco national football team. The move has sparked widespread discussion across the football world, raising questions about governance, fairness, and the integrity of competition outcomes.

Speaking in an interview with L’Équipe, Gueye made his position crystal clear. The midfielder emphasized that Senegal’s triumph was earned on the field of play and witnessed globally, leaving no room for doubt in his mind.

“We managed to win that final on the pitch; the world saw it,” he stated. “And as for the medals, they’re here with us. I’m not prepared to hand over my medal.”

The final in question took place in Rabat on January 18, where Senegal delivered a performance that, in the eyes of their players and supporters, secured them the continental crown. For Gueye and his teammates, that victory remains unquestionable, regardless of administrative decisions made afterward.

His refusal to return his medal underscores the emotional weight of the situation and highlights a growing disconnect between players and football authorities. To many within the Senegal camp, the CAF ruling cannot erase what they achieved through effort, discipline, and performance on the pitch.

The controversy continues to divide opinion, with some backing CAF’s authority while others side with the players’ stance that results should be determined by action on the field rather than decisions in boardrooms.

As tensions persist, Gueye’s strong words reflect a broader sentiment within Senegal’s squad—a refusal to accept a rewritten narrative of their success. For them, history was already made in Rabat, and no ruling can change what they—and the watching world—believe they rightfully earned.