"CAF's appeals board on Tuesday ruled that Senegal forfeited the final by leaving the field of play without the referee's authorisation, and it awarded Morocco a default 3-0 win. The game was delayed for 14 minutes as most of the Senegalese players and staff returned to their dressing room, while Senegal fans battled stewards behind one of the goals in protest against a controversial penalty call for Morocco after Senegal had a goal ruled out."
"Senegal's government on Wednesday said it will pursue all appropriate legal avenues to overturn the decision and called for an international investigation into suspected corruption within African football's governing body. The Senegal Football Federation (FSF) then announced on Thursday that it had instructed lawyers, apparently carrying through its threat to take the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)."
"Morocco and Senegal have long shared close ties built on religion, trade and culture. Tijaniyyah, a Sufi Muslim order, is widely followed in both countries. Moroccan banks and companies heavily invest in Senegal's finance and agriculture sectors. Cultural exchanges include student programs, migration and joint festivals."
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) overturned Senegal's AFCON victory two months after the final, awarding Morocco a default 3-0 win. CAF's appeals board ruled that Senegal forfeited by leaving the field without referee authorization during a 14-minute delay caused by player protests over a controversial penalty decision. Senegal had won the match 1-0 in extra time after the players returned. Senegal's government announced legal action through the Court of Arbitration for Sport and called for an international investigation into suspected CAF corruption. The decision has strained relations between the historically close nations, which share religious, cultural, and economic ties through Tijaniyyah Islam, trade, and investment.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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