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Senegal's government has demanded an independent international investigation into corruption allegations after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) stripped the country of its Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title and awarded it to Morocco.The CAF's decision came after a review by their appeals board into a chaotic final two months ago. The ruling stated that Senegal forfeited the final, a 1-0 victory after extra time, by leaving the field of play during normal time in a 14-minute protest at the awarding of a penalty to Morocco.The result was officially recorded as 3-0 in favor of host nation Morocco. Senegal's government spokeswoman, Marie Rose Khady Fatou Faye, criticized the CAF's decision, stating that it undermines the organization's credibility.Senegal's Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko previously denounced Morocco's jailing of 18 Senegalese fans following violence during a pitch invasion. The Senegal Football Federation (FSF) announced that it will appeal CAF's ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The Senegalese Football Federation has instructed its lawyers to lodge an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after the national team was stripped of its Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title. CAF reversed Senegal's win, awarding the title to Morocco two months after the final.The continent's showpiece football final, in Rabat on January 18, descended into chaos when several Senegalese players walked off the pitch in protest after the hosts were awarded a penalty late in second-half stoppage time. Senegal's players were coaxed back onto the pitch by captain Sadio Mane, but Morocco missed the penalty. Pape Gueye went on to score the goal in extra time that gave Senegal a 1-0 victory.CAF said that, having studied an appeal by Morocco, “the Senegal national team is declared to have forfeited the match” and the result was “officially recorded as 3-0” in favour of Morocco.CAF President Patrice Motsepe defended the decision, stating that “the decisions of our Disciplinary Board and Appeals Board are viewed with respect ⁠and integrity.” However, Senegal's government called for an independent international investigation of the decision, alleging corruption within CAF.Motsepe admitted that African football remains plagued by trust issues and questions over its integrity, but assured that “not a single country in Africa will be treated in a manner that is more preferential, or more advantageous, or more favourable than any other country on the African continent.”

Sardar Azmoun, one of Iran's top football players, has been expelled from the national team over allegations of disloyalty to the government. This development has significant implications for Iran's participation in the upcoming FIFA World Cup, which is co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.Azmoun, who plays for Dubai's Shabab Al-Ahli, upset Iranian authorities by posting a picture on his Instagram feed with Dubai's ruler, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. This move was perceived as a disloyal act, especially given the strained relations between Iran and the UAE, which have included rocket and drone attacks by Iran on the UAE.The 31-year-old striker, known for his impressive career abroad with clubs like Zenit Saint Petersburg, Bayer Leverkusen, and Roma, has scored 57 goals in 91 internationals since his debut in 2014. His absence will undoubtedly weaken Iran's team, Team Melli, in their upcoming matches.Criticism against Azmoun was severe on state TV, with football pundit Mohammad Misaghi stating that Azmoun's actions were an act of disloyalty and that he was not worthy of wearing the national team jersey. There was no immediate response from the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) regarding the matter.This incident comes at a time when Iran's women's national team is dealing with its own controversy, with several players seeking asylum in Australia after being branded 'wartime traitors' on Iranian state TV for not singing the national anthem before a Women's Asian Cup match.

Japan has emerged victorious in the Women's Asian Cup, claiming their third title in the tournament. The decisive match against Australia ended with a 1-0 win for Japan, solidifying their position in women's Asian football.A summary of the game is available, providing insights into the key moments and performances. For a detailed account of the match, readers can visit Al Jazeera Sport's full match report.

The fate of seven Iranian women's football players seeking asylum in Australia has sparked controversy, with critics arguing that politics trumped concern for their welfare. The drama unfolded during the Women's Asian Cup, where the Iranian team played amid a backdrop of political tension between Iran, Australia, and the US.Initially, seven players accepted asylum in Australia, but five changed their minds within days and returned to Iran for undisclosed reasons. Critics argue that the outcome might have been different had the women been provided with independent legal advice earlier and the process not been so rushed.Refugee advocates, including Graham Thom of the Refugee Council of Australia, expressed concerns that the Australian government's media strategy may have put the women at risk. Iran has claimed victory in the public relations battle, with the women who returned home being welcomed back with a ceremony.Experts, including Kylie Moore-Gilbert, a political scientist at Macquarie University, suggest that the publicity surrounding the asylum requests may have overshadowed the women's welfare. The incident has raised questions about Australia's strategy in dealing with asylum seekers and the potential consequences for those seeking refuge.

The Iranian women's football team was given a hero's welcome in Tehran on Thursday after returning from the Asian Cup in Australia, where some players had sought asylum. The team, including captain Zahra Ghanbari, was greeted by several thousand people in Valiasr Square, waving Iranian flags and cheering.Earlier this month, six players and one backroom staff member sought asylum in Australia, prompting criticism from hardliners in Iran for not singing the national anthem before their first match. However, five of them later changed their minds and returned home with the rest of the team.Activists accused Iranian authorities of pressuring the players' families, including summoning their parents for interrogation, while Tehran alleged that Australia sought to force the athletes to defect. Iranian football federation President Mehdi Taj said on stage, “These athletes are loyal to the homeland, flag, leader and revolution.”The welcome ceremony featured a giant billboard with the slogan “My Choice. My Homeland” and a screen projecting AI-generated images of the players pledging loyalty to the Iranian flag. The team also sang the national anthem, a central feature of the ceremony.Two squad members remain in Australia, but the rest of the team, including the five who initially applied for asylum, arrived in Iran on Wednesday after a long journey home via Malaysia, Oman, and Turkiye. Iranian government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani told the team, “All Iranians were waiting for you; welcome to Iran.”

Japan has emerged victorious in the Women's Asian Cup, claiming their third title in the tournament. The decisive match against Australia ended with a 1-0 win for Japan, thanks to a stunning long-range goal by Maika Hamano in the 17th minute.The match, held at Stadium Australia in Sydney, was attended by a record-breaking 74,357 fans, marking a significant milestone in the growth of women's football. This victory adds to Japan's previous titles in 2014 and 2018, both of which were also won against Australia with a 1-0 scoreline.The tournament saw a substantial increase in attendance, with over 350,000 fans attending matches, approximately six times the previous record set in 2010. The Asian Cup also served as a qualifier for the 2026 World Cup in Brazil, with six teams—Australia, Japan, South Korea, China, North Korea, and the Philippines—securing their spots.Japan's team, featuring several English-based players, demonstrated exceptional skill throughout the tournament, scoring 29 goals and conceding only one across six games. Despite a strong performance from Australia, Japan's solid defense and fluid gameplay secured their victory.The final match was intense, with both teams creating scoring opportunities. However, Japan's defense held strong, particularly in the final minutes, as Alanna Kennedy's late attempt was thwarted, ensuring Japan's rock-solid defense preserved the win.

In an unexpected turn of events that captured social media attention over the weekend, footballer Jorginho found himself in a public dispute with American pop singer Chappell Roan. The former Chelsea and current Flamengo midfielder took to social media to accuse Roan's security guard of speaking "in an extremely aggressive manner" to his stepdaughter and wife at a São Paulo hotel.Jorginho, whose stepdaughter happens to be actress Jude Law's daughter, claimed that his stepdaughter had merely smiled at Roan while walking past the singer's table during breakfast. Without his fans, "you would be nothing," Jorginho stated in a departure from his typically less confrontational public persona.In response, Roan posted a video denying the allegations and clarifying that the security guard in question was not her personal security. The singer explained she was simply sitting at breakfast when the incident allegedly occurred and expressed regret if the mother and child felt uncomfortable. "I do not hate people who are fans of my music. I do not hate children – that is crazy," Roan stated in the video, which was recorded while she was lying in bed.The controversy quickly escalated when Eduardo Cavaliere, the mayor of Rio de Janeiro, announced a ban on Roan performing at the city's annual Todo Mundo festival. "As long as I'm in charge of our city – this young lady @ChappellRoan will never perform at Todo Mundo no Rio!" he declared, while simultaneously inviting Jorginho's stepdaughter as a guest of honor.Quote of the Day came from Pep Guardiola following Manchester City's recent triumph: "I wanted another yellow card, that was the target. If I cannot celebrate against that team with the way we are playing, then when? Emotions are related to the way we are playing. Give me another yellow card, I'm not yet artificial intelligence. I'm a human being and I want to celebrate."

The Tyne-Wear derby between Newcastle United and Sunderland AFC ended in a 2-1 victory for the visiting team, but the match was overshadowed by reports of racist abuse directed at Sunderland's Lutsharel Geertruida by home fans.The incident occurred early in the second half, prompting referee Anthony Taylor to temporarily halt play in accordance with the Premier League's on-field anti-discrimination protocol. Granit Xhaka, Sunderland's captain, informed Taylor of the alleged abuse, which led to a discussion with both managers and the player involved.The Premier League has launched a full investigation into the incident, with Northumbria Police making one arrest during pre-match skirmishes between rival fans. Newcastle United has condemned the abuse and vowed to work with authorities to identify and hold accountable those responsible.In a statement, Newcastle United said: "We are aware of a report of racism made by a visiting player against someone in the crowd during our Premier League match against Sunderland. Our stance is clear – we do not tolerate discrimination of any form. We will work with the authorities to fully investigate and will ensure any individuals are identified and held accountable."Sunderland AFC also released a statement, expressing their support for Geertruida and condemning the racist abuse: "Sunderland AFC is aware of the reported incident of racist abuse directed at Lutsharel Geertruida during today's fixture at St. James' Park. We stand with Lutsharel, who has our complete backing, and we commend him for displaying bravery and leadership by reporting this incident to the match officials."The incident has highlighted the ongoing issue of racism in football and the need for clubs and authorities to take a strong stance against such behavior.