Senegal’s national football team paraded the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy at the Stade de France on Saturday, in a symbolic and defiant gesture following a controversial decision to strip them of the title.
The event took place ahead of an international friendly match against Peru, where Senegal went on to secure a 2–0 victory. Players, led by captain Kalidou Koulibaly, carried the trophy in front of fans, reinforcing their stance that they remain the rightful African champions.
Senegal had originally won the AFCON final against Morocco in January after extra time. However, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) later overturned the result and awarded Morocco a 3–0 victory.
The decision followed a controversial moment during the final when Senegal players briefly walked off the pitch in protest of a late penalty decision. CAF ruled that this constituted a forfeiture under competition regulations.
Senegal has strongly rejected the ruling, describing it as unjust and politically influenced. The country’s football federation has filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), seeking to have the original result reinstated.
A Symbolic Show of Defiance
Despite the official ruling, Senegal used the pre-match ceremony in Paris to publicly display the trophy, signaling that they do not recognize CAF’s decision.
Coach Pape Thiaw reiterated the team’s position, stating that “trophies are won on the pitch,” while players wore jerseys featuring two stars to represent what they consider their second AFCON triumph.
The ceremony also included a celebratory atmosphere, with reports of music performances and strong fan support inside the stadium.
The situation has intensified tensions between Senegal, CAF, and Morocco, with legal and sporting implications still unresolved. Senegal’s appeal to CAS is ongoing, and a final decision could take months.
Until then, the trophy parade in France stands as a powerful political and sporting statement—one that highlights growing disputes over governance and fairness in African football.
