CAF's appeals board ruled that Senegal had forfeited January's final in Rabat, overturning their 1-0 extra-time victory and recording the result as a 3-0 win in favour of the hosts. The decision followed a protest during normal time, when Senegal's players left the field for over 15 minutes after a controversial stoppage-time penalty was awarded to Morocco.

When play resumed, Brahim Diaz saw his penalty saved by Edouard Mendy, before Pape Gueye scored what appeared to be the winning goal in extra time — a result now nullified.

In a strongly worded response, Senegal's government said: "By calling into question a result achieved at the end of a match that was properly played and won in accordance with the rules of the game, the CAF seriously undermines its own credibility."

It added: "Senegal unequivocally rejects this unjustified attempt at dispossession," while also calling for "an independent international investigation into suspected corruption within the CAF's governing bodies".

In a separate statement, the government described the ruling as an "unprecedented and exceptionally serious decision" based on "a manifestly erroneous interpretation of the regulations, leading to a grossly illegal and deeply unjust decision".

Senegal's football federation echoed those concerns, saying: "The Senegalese Football Federation denounces this unfair, unprecedented, and unacceptable decision, which casts a shadow over African football."

It added: "To defend its rights and the interests of Senegalese football, the federation will initiate an appeal as soon as possible before the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne."

Morocco's football federation welcomed the outcome, stating it "welcomes" the ruling by CAF, which "upholds respect for rules that are necessary for the proper functioning of international competition."

It added: "This decision helps to clarify the framework applicable to similar situations in the future and contributes to the consistency and credibility of international competitions, particularly African football."

The fallout from the final has also spilled into the political sphere. Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko previously criticised the jailing of 18 Senegalese supporters following crowd trouble, telling parliament: "It seems this matter goes beyond the realm of sport and that is regrettable.

"For two countries that call each other friends, like Morocco and Senegal, things should not have gone this far."

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