Senegal's gueye refuses to concede morocco trophy, cites field result

Idrissa Gueye, the Senegal midfielder, has reignited the controversy surrounding the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations title, stating his team remains the rightful champion despite the CAF's official award to Morocco.

Gueye vows to return medals amidst dispute

The Everton player offered to personally return the medals won by Senegal in the tournament, a move he claims is intended to alleviate the escalating tensions. Speaking after Everton's 3-0 Premier League victory over Chelsea on Saturday, the 128-time international asserted, “It’s simply ridiculous. You win a football match on the pitch, and we did that in Morocco.”

The dispute stems from the final match against Morocco, which saw Senegal initially knocked off the pitch following a controversial penalty decision in extra time. The game was halted amid fan protests, and play resumed after a lengthy delay. Morocco ultimately won 3-0.

CAF reversed the decision on Tuesday, awarding the title to Morocco and prompting Senegal to announce an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne. Gueye, who replaced the suspended captain Kalidou Koulibaly in the final, expressed disappointment with his own federation's initial stance. “If it were up to me, I would have advised the federation not to lodge an appeal,” he said in an interview with French broadcaster Canal+.

The incident has drawn widespread condemnation and renewed debate about the integrity of African football. While Gueye’s gesture is a symbolic one, his unwavering belief in his team's victory underscores the deep frustration felt by many Senegalese supporters. The CAF's decision, however, stands.

The situation highlights the fragility of sporting accolades when controversial moments taint the final result. Gueye’s words carry weight; he's not backing down.