CAF strips Senegal AFCON title in a dramatic ruling that overturns the 2025 final result and awards Morocco a 3–0 victory after a controversial pitch walk-off in Rabat.
The Senegalese emerged as champions in January in the controversial AFCON final, played at the North African capital’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, but the match was marred by chaotic scenes.
Senegal had beaten the Atlas Lions 1-0 in extra-time, but there was plenty of drama when the host nation was awarded an injury-time penalty, which caused the Lions of Teranga to temporarily walk off the pitch in protest of the penalty after VAR review.
However, upon their return, Brahim Diaz missed the spot-kick after he was challenged by VAR Malick Diouf, with the West Africans netting the winning goal through Pape Gueye in extra-time to hoist their second AFCON title after 2021.
While it seemed Sadio Mane’s troops were the deserving champions, the Confederation of African Football, CAF’s Appeal Board has now ruled that Pape Thiaw’s charges stayed too long off the pitch, according to their rules, and Morocco is declared the champion.
The CAF Appeal Board decided that in application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Senegal National Team is declared to have forfeited the Final Match of the Total Energies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 (“the Match”), with the result of the Match being recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).
The Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”) Appeal Board decided today (Tuesday) that in application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the Total Energies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Senegal National Team is declared to have forfeited the Final Match of the Total Energies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 (“the Match”), with the result of the Match being recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).
On the appeal by the FRMF regarding the application of Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the CAF Appeal Board made the following rulings:
- “The appeal lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) is declared admissible in form, and the appeal is upheld.
- The CAF Disciplinary Board decision is set aside.
- The CAF Appeal Board further finds that the conduct of the Senegal team falls within the scope of Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations.
- The protest lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) is upheld.
- It is declared that the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), through the conduct of its team, infringed Article 82 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations.
- In application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations, the Senegal team is declared to have forfeited the match, with the result recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).
- All other motions or prayers for relief are dismissed.”
Meanwhile, the Senegalese have confirmed they will appeal CAF’s decision through the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland.
In their response to the decision or ruling by the continental football governing body, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), stated, per a Sky Sports report.
“The Federation wishes to recall that its approach has never been intended to challenge the sporting performance of the teams participating in this competition, but solely to request the application of the competition’s regulations,” it said.
“The Federation reaffirms its commitment to respecting the rules, ensuring clarity in the competitive framework, and maintaining stability within African competitions. It also wishes to commend all the nations that took part in this edition of the AFCON, which has been a major moment for African football. The Federation will make an official statement tomorrow, after convening its governing bodies.”
