alexandre ruiz declares Sénégal can 2025 champions amid ongoing dispute
The controversy surrounding the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2025 title has placed Sénégal at the heart of an intense debate regarding the legitimacy of its victory. While the Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAS) has yet to render its final judgment, differing opinions continue to fuel national discussion.
Journalist Alexandre Ruiz recently reignited the discussion concerning Sénégal’s status in the CAN 2025. It is important to note that the Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAS) has not yet issued its definitive ruling on the appeal filed by the Senegalese Football Federation. To recap, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) had previously rescinded Sénégal’s victory in the final against Morocco, subsequently awarding the title to the Moroccans following a disciplinary decision. Contesting this sanction, Sénégal escalated the matter to TAS, which is still deliberating on the case.
Amidst this unresolved situation, media pronouncements continue to contribute to the ongoing debates. During an interview, French journalist Alexandre Ruiz offered a decisive opinion on the sporting outcome of the match, irrespective of the legal framework.
He affirmed: « For me, there was a final whistle, a winner, and at the final whistle, the winner is correct. Sénégal is the champion of Africa. » This widely circulated statement resonated particularly strongly in Sénégal, where a segment of public opinion believes that the result achieved on the field should remain the true reference, despite any subsequent administrative decisions.
Alexandre Ruiz’s stance, however, does not alter the current regulatory landscape. Institutionally, CAF stands by its decision, which is grounded in the application of its disciplinary regulations. These regulations led to the sanctioning of Sénégal and the modification of the competition’s final result.
Conversely, the Senegalese Football Federation vehemently disputes this interpretation of events and awaits the arbitration of TAS, which is considered the ultimate authority capable of definitively resolving this dispute. Until this decision is delivered, the title remains legally attributed according to CAF’s provisional conclusions.
Beyond the strictly legal dimensions, the journalist’s declaration primarily reignites a broader discussion about the supremacy of on-field performance in modern football. For some observers, the sporting outcome secured at the match’s conclusion should be the central determining factor, while for others, disciplinary rules are an integral component of competition and can legitimately alter a sporting result.
