The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has sent shockwaves across the world after stripping Senegal of their African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 title.
Morocco, who hosted the tournament and finished runners-up, has now been declared champions.
Last month, Morocco had filed an appeal after the CAF Disciplinary Committee only issued player bans and fines as a result of the dramatic and controversial final which took place in Rabat on 18 January.
In the final, Senegal had staged a walkout after Morocco was awarded a penalty in the dying moments. They later returned and the match resumed, with Morocco missing the penalty, forcing the game into extra time and Senegal found the winner.
“The CAF Appeal Board has 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 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 (“the Match”), with the result of the Match being recorded as 3–0 in favor of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF),” said CAF late on Tuesday.
“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 favor of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).”
CAF’s Appeal Board cited article 82 of tournament regulations to justify the verdict enforced on appeal.
It states, “If, for any reason whatsoever, a team withdraws from the competition or does not report for a match, or refuses to play or leaves the ground before the regular end of the match without the authorization of the referee, it shall be considered a loser and shall be eliminated for good from the current competition.”
In a statement, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) said, “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.
“The Federation reaffirms its commitment to respecting the rules, ensuring clarity in the competitive framework, and maintaining stability within African competitions,” it added.
“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.”
Senegal is yet to respond but is expected to take the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS).
