Senegal national football team have publicly displayed the Africa Cup of Nations trophy in Paris ahead of their international friendly against Peru, despite being stripped of the title by the Confederation of African Football.
The decision to parade the trophy comes amid an ongoing dispute over the outcome of the 2025 AFCON final, a controversy that continues to divide opinion across African football and beyond.
Senegal had originally emerged victorious in the final played on 18 January, defeating hosts Morocco in a tense encounter.
However, the match ended in chaotic scenes after Senegalese players walked off the pitch following the award of a stoppage-time penalty to Morocco, with the game still goalless at that point.
CAF later ruled that Senegal had forfeited the match, awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory by default.
The decision effectively stripped Senegal of the title, prompting an appeal from the Senegalese Football Federation to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Despite the ruling, Senegal have continued to present themselves as champions, culminating in the trophy parade held at the Stade de France ahead of Saturday’s friendly against Peru.
The move appears aimed at reaffirming their claim to the title while the legal process remains unresolved.
However, the gesture has sparked a strong reaction from Moroccan representatives.
It is understood lawyers acting on behalf of Moroccan interests have criticised the public display, arguing that it may violate legal provisions under French law.
They have described the ceremony as “usurpation of title” and a “clearly unlawful disturbance,” raising the possibility of legal action to challenge the legitimacy of the event.
The dispute highlights the widening impact of CAF’s decision, extending beyond the football pitch into legal and diplomatic territory.
It also underscores the tensions between the competing narratives, with Senegal maintaining that the title was earned on the field, while CAF’s ruling recognises Morocco as the official winners.
For Senegal, the parade represents both a symbolic and emotional statement, particularly for supporters who continue to identify with the team’s on-field success.
For Moroccan stakeholders, however, it is viewed as a challenge to the authority of CAF’s decision.
As the matter awaits resolution at CAS, the situation remains fluid, with the potential for further developments in both sporting and legal arenas.
For now, Senegal’s decision to parade the trophy in Paris ensures that the controversy surrounding the 2025 AFCON final remains firmly in the spotlight, highlighting ongoing questions about governance, legitimacy and the interpretation of results in African football.
