The contrasting scenes could not have been more dramatic. In Casablanca, thousands of fans spilled into the streets, waving flags and sounding car horns in spontaneous celebration as news filtered through that Morocco's path to the AFCON semi-finals had been dramatically cleared. In Dakar, the mood was one of stunned disbelief, with large crowds gathering in near-silence outside the Léopold Sédar Senghor Stadium.

In Senegal, the devastation was palpable. Former international stars took to social media to express their anguish, while the Federation confirmed it would pursue every legal avenue available. A candlelit vigil was organised outside the federation headquarters, where supporters laid scarves and jerseys in a spontaneous act of solidarity. The country's sports minister called the ruling 'a wound that will take time to heal' and confirmed the government would support the Federation's legal challenge.