Senegal plans to parade the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy ahead of their friendly match against Peru in Paris on Saturday, with the country’s Football Federation vowing a “crusade” against the decision to strip the team of the title, BBC Sport reports.
The Lions of Teranga originally claimed their second AFCON title on 18 January, defeating hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time. The final ended in chaotic scenes when Senegalese players walked off the pitch after a stoppage-time penalty was awarded to Morocco with the match goalless.
Last week, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) overturned the result, awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory. Senegal has since appealed the decision, and on Tuesday, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) confirmed receipt of the appeal, promising to issue a ruling “as swiftly as possible.”
“Faced with what amounts to the most blatant and unprecedented administrative robbery in the history of our sport, the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) refuses to accept this as inevitable,” FSF president Abdoulaye Fall said at a media conference in Paris.
Shortly before his remarks, FSF posted on social media a timetable for Saturday’s friendly at the Stade de France, which includes a trophy parade.
“Senegal will not bend the knee and will not compromise its values,” Fall added. “Our fight now transcends the football pitch.”