“We are still champions” — Senegal FA boss fires back amid AFCON 2025 title row

Senegal FA president, Abdoulaye Fall, has delivered a defiant response to the ongoing AFCON controversy, insisting that Senegal remain the rightful kings of Africa while warning that the legal pursuit of detained fans in Morocco sets a “dangerous precedent” for the game.

Fall spoke with unwavering confidence despite the storm triggered by the Confederation of African Football decision to strip Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title and award it to Morocco following a controversial ruling that the Teranga Lions had effectively forfeited the final.

However, the battle is far from over. In a significant twist, the Court of Arbitration for Sport has accepted Senegal’s appeal, opening the door for a legal showdown that could yet overturn CAF’s ruling and restore the title officially.

“From a purely legal point of view, there is no threat surrounding Senegal’s second African championship title,” Fall declared. “Senegal is still the African champion—the rest is just talk. What matters is what was achieved on the pitch.”

His remarks reflect the firm stance within Senegalese football circles, where there is a growing belief that justice will ultimately prevail through the legal process. Fall emphasized that the federation has carefully reviewed the Appeals Committee’s decision and remains confident that it will not stand under scrutiny.

Beyond the courtroom battle, the controversy appears to have galvanized the national team. Fall believes the situation could serve as a powerful motivational force as Senegal prepare for the upcoming global showdown. The Teranga Lions are set to compete in Group 9 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where they will face France, Iraq, and Norway.

“This will not affect the players negatively,” Fall explained. “On the contrary, it will strengthen unity between the squad, the technical team, and the Senegalese people. That unity can carry us far—even to the World Cup title.”

Yet, while the focus remains on football, a sensitive off-field issue continues to cast a shadow over the dispute. Eighteen Senegalese supporters remain detained in Morocco following clashes with security personnel during the AFCON final in Rabat. Their trial is scheduled for April 13, raising concerns about the intersection of sport and legal systems.

Fall did not hold back in addressing the matter. “A solution must be found for the 18 Senegalese fans detained in Morocco,” he urged. “Sports disputes should be resolved within sporting institutions. Resorting to the judiciary in such matters is something I oppose—it is a dangerous precedent.”

His comments highlight growing unease over how the situation is being handled, with fears that it could set a new and troubling standard for dealing with fan-related incidents in international competitions.

As tensions continue to simmer between Senegal and Morocco, the coming weeks promise decisive developments—both in the legal arena and on the diplomatic front. For now, however, Senegal stand firm in their belief: they are still champions, and they are not backing down.