In Téléfoot this Sunday, Bixente Lizarazu reacted to the CAF’s decision to strip Senegal of the 2025 African Champion title in favor of Morocco.
It’s an announcement that had a bombshell effect. Two months after the CAN 2025 final won by Senegal against Morocco (1-0 a.p.), CAF decided to take back the title from the Lions of Teranga, who had left the field to protest against a penalty awarded to the Moroccans towards the end of the game. The Atlas Lions were therefore crowned champions off the field.
This decision, announced on Tuesday evening, clearly does not have unanimous support and has sparked reactions. Many voices are raised to denounce a deception that harms African football.
In Téléfoot this Sunday morning, Bixente Lizarazu did not hide his incomprehension. “I was surprised, I find it very questionable and problematic,” reacted the 1998 World Cup champion.
Lizarazu: “Senegal won, deserved their victory”
“For me, the supreme authority is the referee,” continued the former Bayern Munich player. “In terms of sports, Senegal won, deserved their victory, and the referee decided that was the result. So why question it? And especially two months later.”
Appalled, the Senegalese Football Federation has expressed its intention to launch an appeal procedure before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the ultimate level of sports justice. However, the Swiss-based jurisdiction may not make a decision for several months. The saga is therefore not over yet.
