The Confederation of African Football’s appeal board has delivered its verdict following the contentious final of the Africa Cup of Nations between Morocco and Senegal. Despite Senegal’s victory on the field, the Atlas Lions have now been officially named the continental champions.
In a truly shocking development, CAF has overturned the result of the CAN 2025 final. A statement issued on Tuesday confirmed that Senegal has been disqualified by forfeit from the championship match held on January 18. Though Morocco was defeated 1-0 in extra time before their home crowd, they are now declared winners with a 3-0 scoreline.
“The appeal jury of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has decided, in accordance with Article 84 of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations regulations, to declare the Senegal national team’s result in the final of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 a forfeit,” the governing body announced. “The result is therefore recorded as a 3-0 victory in favor of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF).”
Senegal sanctioned for abandoning the pitch
The ruling from CAF is a direct consequence of the turmoil that marred the end of the final. The controversy began when Morocco was awarded a penalty, which Brahim Diaz subsequently missed with a failed panenka attempt. In response, a significant number of Senegalese players walked off the pitch and returned to their dressing room as a form of protest. Simultaneously, supporters of the team, led by star Sadio Mané, invaded the field, leading to crowd disturbances and altercations with security personnel.
After a period of intense confusion, the match eventually resumed with Diaz’s missed penalty, followed by extra time. Pape Gueye became a national hero when he scored the decisive goal, securing what was thought to be a remarkable victory for the Lions of the Teranga.
Morocco ends a 49-year title drought
This landmark decision, unprecedented for a tournament of this magnitude, is expected to generate widespread and passionate reactions. Senegalese supporters are likely to feel a profound sense of injustice, viewing the outcome as a stolen victory for their nation.
Conversely, fans in Morocco can now celebrate the end of a nearly half-century wait for a second AFCON trophy, this one secured on home soil by the team initially coached by Walid Regragui (since succeeded by Mohamed Ouahbi). The global football community is also anticipated to weigh in on this historic and controversial ruling by the CAF appeal jury.
Penalties for Saibari and Morocco over towel incidents
Beyond the seismic shift of Senegal’s disqualification, CAF also addressed other disciplinary matters from the final. The Moroccan player Ismaël Saibari faced sanctions for taking the opposing goalkeeper’s towel during the match. The PSV player has been handed a two-match suspension, with one of those suspended, while a $100,000 fine was overturned.
Additionally, the Moroccan Football Federation has been fined $50,000 due to the conduct of its ball boys, who were observed repeatedly taking the Senegalese goalkeeper’s towels during the final.
While Morocco had appealed CAF’s initial post-final decisions, feeling they were too lenient towards Senegal, the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) had not filed an appeal. However, following Tuesday’s verdict from the appeal jury, it is now possible that the Senegalese authorities will take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
