Two months after the chaotic final, soccer fans were left stunned when governing body officials awarded the African Cup of Nations to Morocco, overturning Senegal’s victory.
The impact of this decision extends beyond sport and could weaken ties between nations.
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While Moroccan fans took to the streets to celebrate their team’s belated success, the Confederation of African Football (CAF)’s decision was met with disbelief in Senegal, with fans and authorities calling it “unjust”.
Senegal’s government said on Wednesday it would pursue “all appropriate legal avenues” to reverse the decision and called for an international investigation into “allegations of corruption” within African football’s governing body.
The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) then announced on Thursday that it had instructed its lawyers and followed through on its threat to take the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Such a move could lead to a year-long legal battle before a verdict is reached.
CAF’s appeals committee on Tuesday ruled that Senegal would forfeit the final for leaving the field without the referee’s permission, giving Morocco a 3-0 bye.
The match was delayed by 14 minutes as most of Senegal’s players and staff returned to the locker room. Meanwhile, Senegalese fans scuffled with the stewards behind the goal, protesting Morocco’s controversial penalty call after Senegal’s goal was ruled out.
The players returned, Morocco missed the penalty, and Senegal won 1-0 in extra time.
What is the bond that connects Morocco and Senegal?
Morocco and Senegal have long shared close ties based on religion, trade and culture. Tijaniyyah, a Sufi Islamic sect, is widely practiced in both countries. Moroccan banks and companies have invested heavily in Senegal’s financial and agricultural sectors. Cultural exchanges include student programs, immigration, joint festivals, etc.
But tensions over the final and the CAF Court of Appeal’s decision to overturn Senegal’s victory have strained relations between the two countries.
A Moroccan court has sentenced 18 Senegalese fans arrested for hooliganism during the final last month to up to one year in prison. The Senegalese government expressed solidarity with Senegalese supporters.
Seydina Issa Rayet Diop, president of the Senegalese national team’s fan group 12th Gainde, told The Associated Press on Thursday that the incident should not damage relations between Senegal and Morocco.
“However, there are limits. If things continue as they are, the pride of the Senegalese people may be affected to some extent,” Diop said. “If the goal is to maintain friendships, they must be nurtured. Small gestures can have a big impact. These can be overcome, especially since during the trial there were no solid arguments justifying the continued detention of these supporters.”
Mariama Ndeyeh, a student in Senegal’s capital Dakar, said the decision had a negative impact on her view of Moroccans.
“When everything is going well, they call us brothers. But when things are not going well, they start being mean,” Ndaye said.
Politics and sport are rarely separated in Senegal and Morocco.
The Moroccan embassy in Dakar called on Moroccans in Senegal on Wednesday to “show restraint, vigilance and responsibility.”
“Under no circumstances is it important to remember that this is just a game and the outcome should in no way justify any escalation or over-the-top rhetoric between the brothers,” the embassy said.
Controversy still centers around soccer matches, but bad feelings are spreading more generally.
In Casablanca, consumer electronics business owner Ismail Funani said it felt like other African countries were rooting for Morocco in the final.
“Honestly, after this, my view of Senegalese and sub-Saharan Africans changed,” he said. “We used to feel pity for them and help them because they were immigrants who had a hard time getting here. There used to be pity and pity, but now I’m going to treat them as they have treated us.”
Mohamed El Arabi, who works at a grocery store in Casablanca, said he was not celebrating the decision to give Morocco the title.
“I wanted him to stay on the Senegalese side because otherwise I don’t think it would be appropriate,” El Arabi said.
“The people here are starting to hate the Senegalese. They no longer provide aid to the Senegalese. Especially since they are Muslims like us, we were like brothers, but now that is not the case,” he added.
The Senegalese government’s allegation of “alleged corruption” at CAF followed outrage over its favorable view of Morocco, which is co-hosting the 2030 World Cup and has invested heavily to become a soccer powerhouse.
On Wednesday, CAF President Patrice Motsepe defended the body against favorable perceptions of Morocco.
“No country in Africa is treated more favorably, favorably or favorably than any other country on the continent,” Motsepe said in a video published on the CAF website.
