The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final has become the center of a massive legal dispute. Two months after their victory, the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has made the shocking decision to strip Sénégal of their title, sparking widespread confusion across the continent.
In an unprecedented move, the CAF has officially overturned the results of the CAN 2025, awarding the championship to Maroc. This ruling comes long after the final whistle, following a formal protest by the Moroccan delegation, who had initially lost the match they hosted. Beyond the verdict itself, the timing of the announcement has raised significant questions.
The “longest final” in the history of football
The dispute actually began the day after the match was played on January 18. The Moroccan side filed a complaint citing FIFA regulations, specifically articles 82 and 84. These rules stipulate that any team leaving the pitch prematurely must lose by forfeit. While an initial ruling resulted in a five-match ban for coach Pape Tiaw, Maroc successfully appealed for a more severe verdict.
The final judgment was delivered unexpectedly at 10:30 PM on a Tuesday night, catching the football world off guard. Even the federation of Maroc released a statement during the night, clarifying that while they sought the application of the law, they did not wish to undermine athletic achievements. Meanwhile, Sénégal has already confirmed its intention to challenge this outcome at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
With the trophy changing hands months after the tournament ended, observers suggest this might be remembered as the most protracted final in the history of the sport. The football community remains split between those demanding strict adherence to the rulebook and those who believe a title won on the field should not be revoked so long after the event.