Defiant Senegal Fire Back at CAF By Parading AFCON Trophy Before Friendly

The Senegalese national team continued their protest against being stripped of their Africa Cup of Nations title by parading the trophy at the Stade de France ahead of their recent international friendly.

Earlier this month, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) appeal board made the unprecedented decision to disqualify Senegal. The ruling came after the team walked off the pitch in protest during the final on January 18, following a controversial penalty awarded to their opponents, Morocco.

During the chaotic final, Senegal's players eventually returned to the field, and the subsequent penalty was missed. The Lions of Teranga went on to secure a 1-0 victory. However, in a stunning reversal 58 days later, Morocco was awarded a 3-0 win and the championship title following a successful appeal.

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A CAF spokesperson confirmed that its appeal board declared "the Senegal National Team is to have forfeited the Final." The statement added that Morocco's appeal was "admissible and upheld" because Senegal's actions "infringed Article 82" of its regulations.

Refusing to accept the verdict, Senegal has appealed the decision and continues to assert their status as champions. Before their friendly match against Peru in front of 70,000 spectators in France, the squad, including stars like Edouard Mendy and Iliman Ndiaye, proudly displayed the trophy on the pitch and held it aloft to the cheers of their supporters.

Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye is among the players who have voiced their opposition to the ruling.

"I think this decision is just ridiculous," he said. "We won the game on the pitch, not in offices, and as a Senegalese player, I'm just proud of what we did. We deserve this trophy. We fought on the pitch, and everyone knows what happened. I think if you play this game 10 times, we would win it 10 times."

Senegal has since lodged its own appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which has stated it will rule on the matter "as swiftly as possible."

CAS Director General Matthieu Reeb commented: "We understand that teams and fans are eager to know the final decision, and we will ensure that arbitration proceedings are conducted as swiftly as possible, while respecting the right of all parties to a fair hearing."

The controversy began in the 98th minute of the final in Rabat when Senegal's players left the field to protest an earlier goal and the late penalty decision. They remained off the pitch for approximately 17 minutes amidst chaotic scenes, which included some Senegalese fans attempting to enter the playing area.

The team was reportedly persuaded to return by former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane. Real Madrid's Brahim Diaz took the resulting penalty, which was saved by ex-Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. The match proceeded to extra time, where a goal from Pape Gueye appeared to have secured Senegal's second AFCON title in five years, only for CAF's extraordinary decision to overturn the result.