Senegal forward Sadio Mané has strongly criticised the Confederation of African Football (CAF) following its controversial decision on the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
CAF’s Appeal Board ruled on Tuesday to strip Senegal national football team of the 2025 title and award it to Morocco national football team.
The decision effectively rewrites the outcome of the tournament’s final after Senegal reportedly abandoned the pitch during a chaotic match in January.
According to the ruling, the incident constituted a forfeit, leading to the annulment of the original result and awarding Morocco a 3-0 walkover victory, officially crowning them continental champions.
Reacting in a statement shared on Instagram, Mané expressed anger over the development, accusing authorities of damaging the integrity of African football.
“What has happened here goes too far. This is not the football we fight for, nor the Africa we believe in,” he said.
The former Liverpool F.C. star further alleged that corruption is eroding trust in the sport across the continent.
“There is too much corruption in our sport, and that is killing the passion of millions of fans across the continent. The players give their all on the pitch, but decisions off the pitch determine the outcome of matches and titles,” Mané added.
The decision has sparked widespread reactions among football fans and stakeholders, with debates continuing over the fairness and implications of CAF’s ruling.