The climate is more tense than ever between Dakar and Cairo, headquarters of the Confederation of African Football (CAF). This Saturday, March 21, 2026, the diplomatic and sporting crisis triggered by the decision of the CAF appeal jury to withdraw the title of 2025 African Champion from Senegal in favor of Morocco continues to ignite debates in Africa.
An electric atmosphere
The direct involvement of President Bassirou Diomaye Faye marks a major turning point in this issue. By ostensibly displaying the CAN trophy behind him on his new Instagram profile photo, the head of state is no longer content with a diplomatic posture; he symbolically appropriates the defense of the victory of the Lions of Téranga and launches a challenge to CAF.
The president also asked his government to take all possible measures to challenge the CAF decision. “ The President of the Republic (Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Editor’s note) affirms that Senegal notes with regret and indignation the decision of the CAF appeal jury withdrawing the title of 2025 African Champion from the national football team, before concluding: “Faced with this unprecedented decision, he asks the government, in particular the Minister responsible for Sports (Khady Diene Gaye), to take all the rapid and indicated measures, with the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF), in order to file appropriate appeals before the Court of Arbitration for Sport. »
As a reminder, FIFA regulations prohibit any interference by governments in matters related to their federations.
