Senegal present AFCON trophy despite Morocco title ruling

Senegal national football team publicly presented the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations trophy on Saturday at the Stade de France, despite the title being officially awarded to Morocco national football team following a Confederation of African Football ruling.

The ceremony took place ahead of Senegal’s friendly match against Peru, with players showcasing the trophy to supporters in a symbolic gesture that reflects the ongoing dispute surrounding the tournament’s final.

The controversy stems from the decisive match between Senegal and Morocco, which initially ended in favour of the Lions of Teranga after a closely contested encounter.

However, the game was overshadowed by a dispute over refereeing decisions, leading to a temporary withdrawal of Senegalese players during the match.

Following an investigation into the incident, the Confederation of African Football concluded that the actions of the Senegal team breached competition regulations.

As a result, the governing body awarded the victory to Morocco by default, officially naming the Atlas Lions as African champions.

Despite that ruling, Senegal’s football authorities and players have continued to assert that they secured the result on the pitch.

The presentation of the trophy in Paris underlined their position, highlighting a disagreement that remains unresolved.

The matter has since been referred to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, where Senegal have lodged an appeal in a bid to challenge the decision.

The outcome of that process is expected to determine the final resolution of the dispute.

Saturday’s events at the Stade de France added a further chapter to the ongoing situation, bringing the issue into the public eye once again.

While the official records recognise Morocco as champions, Senegal’s actions suggest the debate over the final has yet to be settled in their view.

The friendly match against Peru provided the backdrop for the display, but attention remained focused on the broader controversy surrounding the tournament.

With the case now under review by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, the dispute continues to cast a shadow over the 2025 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations.