Senegal celebrates the cup in Paris

Despite being stripped of the Africa Cup of Nations title last week by an administrative decision in favor of Morocco, Senegal presented the continental cup before the start of its friendly match against Peru on Saturday at the Stade de France, according to an Agence France-Presse journalist.

Kalidou Koulibaly, holding the championship cup in his hands, presented his teammates who entered the field in their sports uniforms during a small ceremony performed by Senegalese star Youssou Ndour, before the players began a round of honour, in which the cup was transferred from one player to another.

The captain of the Senegalese national team and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy ascended to the presidential podium to place the cup in front of Abdoulaye Fall, President of the Senegalese Football Federation, and a number of dignitaries.

The Appeals Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) had withdrawn the victory from Senegal based on Articles 82 and 84 of the tournament regulations, which stipulate that if “a team refuses to play or leaves the field before the end of the legal time,” it “is considered a loser and is permanently excluded from the tournament.”

The Senegalese Football Association appealed this decision, on Wednesday, before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), affirming its adherence to a title that it considers “still a right to it.”