Arinze Izik

Senegal midfielder Idrissa Gueye has offered to hand back his 2025 Africa Cup of Nations medal in an effort to calm tensions after CAF stripped Senegal of the title despite their extra-time win over Morocco in Rabat on 18 January 2026.

CAF’s ruling, reported by BBC Sport, cited articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON regulations on team conduct. The flashpoint came late in the final when Senegal protested a penalty awarded to Morocco, leaving the pitch for more than 15 minutes. Morocco’s Brahim Diaz missed the spot-kick, and Pape Thiaw’s side later scored in extra time to claim what they thought was Senegal’s second AFCON crown. The Moroccan federation appealed, and two months later CAF annulled the result, confirming Morocco as champions across its official channels.

Speaking after Everton’s 3-0 Premier League win over Chelsea, Gueye called the decision “ridiculous” but struck a conciliatory tone. “I personally commit to collecting the medals and maybe giving them back to Morocco if that can ease tensions between the two countries,” he said, via Africa Soccer. “A football match is won on the pitch… We did what we had to do… We deserve to be African champions.”

Gueye also questioned whether Senegal should appeal, saying he would have advised against it. CAF president Patrice Motsepe noted Senegal can take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, stressing that all 54 member associations have equal rights to defend their interests. For now, CAF lists Morocco as 2025 AFCON winners while Senegal weighs its next move.