“There is too much corruption in our game” – Sadio Mane breaks silence on CAF decision

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Sadio Mane

Sadio Mane, the Senegalese national team captain, has broken his silence following the Confederation of African Football (CAF) decision to nullify their 2025 AFCON win.

According to Sadio Mane, there is too much corruption in the African game, which is killing the passion of millions of fans across the continent.

In a statement posted by Sadio Mane on his official Instagram account, originally in French, which has been translated into English, read, “What happened has gone too far. This is not the football we fight for, not the Africa we believe in.

There is too much corruption in our game, and it’s killing the passion of millions of fans across the continent. Players give everything on the pitch, but decisions off it are deciding matches and trophies.

I’m deeply disappointed not just for Senegal, but for African football as a whole. We deserve better. The fans deserve fairness, transparency, and respect”.

In related news, the Senegalese football Federation has declared it will initiate an appeal as soon as possible before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne.

Senegal responded to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) decision to nullify their 2025 AFCON win.

The  Senegalese described the CAF decision as an unfair, unprecedented, and unacceptable decision, which discredits African football.

According to the Senegalese, the CAF decision is an “insult” to African football.

In a statement on X on March 17, 2026, the Senegalese FSF Communiqué stated, “The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has taken note of the notification of the decision rendered on March 17, 2026 by the Appeal Board of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in the case concerning Match No. 52 of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 between Senegal and Morocco.

By this decision, the CAF Appeal Board admitted the appeal lodged by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) and, following a requalification of the facts based on an interpretation — contested by many — of Articles 82 and 84 of the competition regulations, declared Senegal to have forfeited the final match, with the score recorded as 3-0 in favor of Morocco.

The Senegalese Football Federation condemns this unjust, unprecedented, and unacceptable decision, which tarnishes the reputation of African football and constitutes a serious breach of sporting ethics and principles of justice. The FSF firmly contests this decision, which it considers devoid of a solid legal basis and contrary to the spirit of the game and the values defended by African football.

In accordance with the applicable regulations, the Federation will, at the earliest opportunity, initiate appeal proceedings before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne in order to defend its rights and the interests of Senegalese football. The

FSF reaffirms its unwavering commitment to sporting justice, fairness and respect for the rules, while expressing its deep gratitude to the Senegalese people, the players, the technical staff, and all those who have supported the national team throughout this competition”.

The Senegalese decision follows Morocco being announced as the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winners, with the final result overturned by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

CAF have declared that Senegal forfeited the match after leaving the pitch, with Morocco declared 3-0 winners by official statement.

In statement issued by CAF on March 17, 2026 stated, “The Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”) Appeal Board decided today that, in application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Senegal National Team is declared to have forfeited the Final Match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 (“the Match”), with the result of the match being recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF)”.

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