Wayne Rooney slams CAF decision to strip Senegal of AFCON title

Former England captain Wayne Rooney has condemned the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for its ruling to strip Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) championship and award it to the hosts, Morocco.

Months after the Lions of Teranga lifted the trophy in Morocco following a heated final, the CAF Appeal Board overturned Senegal’s 1-0 victory.

The board ruled that their mid-match walk-off in protest of a stoppage-time penalty breached Articles 82 and 84 of the tournament regulations. Consequently, the match was recorded as a 3–0 forfeit in favor of Morocco.

During the protest, some Senegalese players remained on the field before Sadio Mane rushed into the tunnel to call back the rest of his teammates.

Following the restart of action, Brahim Diaz missed the controversial penalty that sparked the protest. The match then entered extra time, where Pape Gueye scored in the 94th minute to hand Senegal what was originally meant to be their second AFCON title.

Rooney’s reaction

Reacting to the decision, the Manchester United legend expressed disbelief at CAF’s ruling, citing that Senegal had legitimately won the trophy on the pitch.

“It’s crazy. If I were a Moroccan player, I wouldn’t accept it. Senegal beat them fair and square.

The Senegal team beat them fairly.”

Meanwhile, the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF) has confirmed plans to challenge the ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The FSF condemned CAF’s decision, labeling it “unfair, unprecedented, and unacceptable.”