Sports journalist Alexandre Ruiz recently reignited the discussion concerning Senegal’s standing in the CAN 2025 tournament. The Tribunal Arbitral du Sport (TAS) has not yet delivered its final decision on the appeal lodged by the Senegalese Football Federation. It is important to recall that the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) had previously rescinded Senegal’s final victory against Morocco, subsequently awarding the title to the Moroccan team following a disciplinary ruling. Contesting this sanction, Senegal promptly referred the matter to TAS, which is still deliberating on the case.

Amidst this ongoing uncertainty, media statements continue to significantly influence public discourse. When questioned, the French journalist Alexandre Ruiz offered a resolute perspective on the sporting outcome of the match, irrespective of the legal framework currently in place.

He affirmed, “For me, there was a final whistle, a winner, and at the final whistle, the winner is right. Senegal is champion of Africa.” This assertion, widely circulated, resonated particularly strongly within Senegal, where a segment of the population believes that the result achieved on the field should remain the true benchmark, despite any subsequent administrative decisions.

Alexandre Ruiz’s stance, however, does not alter the current regulatory landscape. Institutionally, CAF stands firm on its decision, which is predicated on the enforcement of its disciplinary regulations. These regulations led to the sanctioning of Senegal and the subsequent modification of the competition’s final outcome.

Conversely, the Senegalese Football Federation vehemently disputes this interpretation of events and eagerly awaits the arbitration from TAS, which is regarded as the ultimate authority capable of definitively resolving this dispute. Until TAS renders its judgment, the title remains legally attributed according to CAF’s provisional conclusions.

Beyond the purely legal dimensions, the journalist’s declaration primarily reignites a broader debate concerning the supremacy of on-field results in contemporary football. For some observers, the sporting outcome secured at the conclusion of a match should be the central determining factor, while others argue that disciplinary rules are an integral component of competition and can legitimately alter a sporting result.