Senegal government demands probe into Africa Cup of Nations ruling

Senegal's authorities on Wednesday urged for an independent global inquiry into possible corruption after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) revoked the nation's Africa Cup of Nations championship and granted it to Morocco instead.

The Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) expressed that it welcomes the ruling which maintains the regulations.

The dispute emerged when Senegal's team left the field in objection during the Rabat final on January 18, as the home side received a late penalty in added time of the second half.

Once Senegal's squad was persuaded to return by skipper Sadio Mane, Morocco failed to convert the spot kick. Pape Gueye then netted in extra time, securing a 1-0 triumph for Senegal.

On Tuesday, CAF overturned Senegal's success, pointing to rules on departing the playing area.

Government spokesperson Marie Rose Khady Fatou Faye stated that by doubting an outcome from a game fairly contested and secured under the sport's guidelines, CAF damages its own reputation significantly.

Senegal firmly opposes this unwarranted effort to seize the victory, she declared, and requests an impartial worldwide probe into alleged graft in CAF's leadership structures.

CAF announced that after reviewing Morocco's challenge, the Senegal team is ruled to have abandoned the fixture, with the score set as 3-0 for Morocco.

Faye described the verdict as entirely unlawful and deeply unfair in her remarks.

Senegal intends to explore every suitable judicial path, including international tribunals, to achieve fairness and reinstate the importance of on-field achievements, she added.

While awaiting a definitive arbitration decision, the Senegalese Football Federation's secretary-general wrote to CAF requesting a halt to this verdict's implementation and a pause on any trophy retrieval actions to Morocco.

The correspondence also notified CAF of the federation's plan to approach the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in the next 48 hours.

The FRMF noted that the outcome preserves the standards and provides the steadiness required for effective international events.

It stressed that the aim was never to dispute the athletic displays of the sides, but rather to insist on adherence to the protocols.

This resolution aids the uniformity and trustworthiness of global tournaments, especially in African soccer, according to the FRMF.

In the official release, Faye also reaffirmed Senegal's support for its nationals held in Morocco, mentioning 18 supporters detained for hooliganism at the game.

These individuals received sentences in February varying from three months to a year behind bars, plus penalties up to $545.

They faced charges of assaulting police and inflicting harm during the encounter, where fans attempted to invade the turf and hurled objects.

The release indicated that Senegal remains dedicated to overseeing this case for a swift favourable resolution.