“This Must Not Stand” – Weah Slams CAF, Backs Senegal in AFCON Dispute

Former Liberian president and football legend George Weah has strongly criticised the Confederation of African Football (CAF) over its controversial decision to strip Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title, urging the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to overturn the ruling.

CAF’s Appeal Board recently nullified Senegal’s 1–0 victory over Morocco in the AFCON final held in Rabat, citing a rule violation after Senegalese players temporarily walked off the pitch during a disputed penalty incident. The board subsequently awarded Morocco a 3–0 win by forfeit, officially naming them champions.

Reacting to the development, Weah described the decision as a dangerous precedent for football, insisting that results achieved on the pitch should remain final. He argued that the referee is the ultimate authority during a match and that post-match rulings should not override completed games.

“This travesty must not stand,” Weah said, calling on CAS to intervene and restore what he described as fairness and integrity in African football.

The decision has sparked widespread outrage across Senegal and the broader football community, with fans, players, and officials condemning the ruling as unjust. Critics argue that overturning a completed match undermines the credibility of the sport and raises concerns about governance within CAF.

Senegal’s football federation has already confirmed plans to challenge the verdict at CAS, setting the stage for a potentially landmark legal battle that could redefine how football disputes are handled on the continent.