Morocco threatens legal action as Senegal plans to parade AFCON trophy ahead of friendlies with Peru

Morocco threatens legal action as Senegal plans to parade AFCON trophy ahead of friendlies with Peru

Morocco threatens legal action as Senegal plans to parade AFCON trophy ahead of friendlies with Peru

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Despite filing an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), Senegal has insisted it will not hand over the trophy and intends to parade it at the Stade de France before the friendly against Peru

A fresh storm has engulfed African football after Morocco threatened legal action against the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) over plans to parade the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy before Saturday’s international friendly against Peru in Paris.
The dispute follows a dramatic March 17, 2026, ruling by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeal Jury, which stripped Senegal of the AFCON title and reattributed it to Morocco. The decision overturned Senegal’s 1-0 victory over the hosts in January’s chaotic final, instead awarding a 3-0 forfeit win to Morocco.
Despite filing an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), Senegal has insisted it will not hand over the trophy and intends to parade it at the Stade de France before the friendly against Peru.

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Mourad Elajouti, president of Morocco’s lawyers’ club, warned that any public display of the trophy would trigger immediate legal consequences.
“This morning, we sent two formal notices of default to the Société d’Exploitation Stade de France as well as to the GL Events group. By lending their support to a ceremony based on a revoked title, these entities are incurring their direct liability,” Elajouti wrote.
He further argued that the planned ceremony is unlawful. “By a final decision rendered on March 17, 2026, the CAF Appeal Jury reattributed the title to Morocco. In the absence of a suspensive decision from the CAS, the exhibition of this trophy constitutes a usurpation of title and a manifestly illicit disturbance Art. 835 of the CPC.”

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Elajouti warned that continuation of the event would result in legal action for damages under Article 1240 of the Civil Code.
“In the absence of a contractual or legal title of possession, the subject matter of the dispute must be placed under the custody of a judicial officer,” he added.
Senegal, however, has shown no signs of retreating. The FSF published a detailed programme for Saturday’s match that includes the trophy parade, underscoring their defiance.
FSF president Abdoulaye Fall described CAF’s ruling as unprecedented and vowed continued resistance.
“Faced with what amounts to the most blatant and unprecedented administrative robbery in the history of our sport, the Senegalese Football Federation refuses to accept this as inevitable. Senegal will not bend the knee and will not compromise its values. Our fight now transcends the football pitch,” Fall said at a press conference in Paris.
For the dethroned Lions of Teranga, the legal battle now runs parallel to preparations for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in June. While the off-field saga dominates headlines, on the pitch, Senegal remains in formidable shape.
Senegal enters Saturday’s encounter in strong form, unbeaten in their last six matches with five wins and one draw. Across that run, they have scored 10 goals and conceded just two, underlining their defensive discipline.
Their AFCON campaign itself was built on narrow, controlled victories; three consecutive 1-0 wins over Mali, Egypt and Morocco highlighted a compact structure rather than attacking flair. 
However, they will be without forward Sadio Mane, who is ruled out through injury. In his absence, Nicolas Jackson is expected to spearhead the attack, supported by Ismaila Sarr and Iliman Ndiaye. Midfield experience comes from Idrissa Gueye, while Kalidou Koulibaly anchors the defence.
Peru arrives in contrasting form. The South Americans have won just once in their last six outings, losing four, and have scored only five goals while conceding nine in that stretch. Although a recent 2-0 win over Bolivia ended a lengthy winless run, consistency remains elusive.
Away from home, Peru has struggled with attacking output, failing to score in five of their last nine matches.
Experienced figures such as Yoshimar Yotun and Pedro Gallese provide leadership, but Peru’s inability to qualify for the World Cup after finishing near the bottom of the CONMEBOL standings highlights their current limitations.
Historically, the two nations have met only once before, with Peru claiming a 1-0 friendly victory. Yet current form and squad depth heavily favour Senegal heading into this encounter.

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