Ivorian football pundit Mamadou Gaye has expressed his support for the CAF Appeal Committee's decision to strip Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title, which he attributes largely to the integrity of its chair, respected Nigerian judge Roli Daibo-Harriman. The controversial ruling, made on March 17, judged Senegal guilty of breaching regulations after they walked off the pitch in protest during the final match against Morocco back on January 18, leading to a 3-0 forfeit decision that overturned their previous 1-0 victory in extra time.

Gaye made these remarks while appearing on the SuperSport program Soccer Africa, emphasizing that the ruling process was fair and commendable. He defended the committee’s independence and dismisses allegations of bias or impropriety, insisting that Senegal's lack of appeal to the original verdict demonstrated their acceptance of the circumstances that led to the ruling. Meanwhile, Morocco had appealed the outcome, which highlights the contentious nature of the final match and subsequent decisions made by the governing body of African football.

The decision has sparked significant backlash within the football community, raising discussions about the implications of player conduct and the sanctity of match results based on regulatory compliance. Gaye's endorsement of the CAF panel’s ruling stands out amidst the outrage, suggesting a complex landscape of opinions regarding accountability in sportsmanship in African football, particularly as it relates to Senegal’s future engagement in the AFCON tournament.