In a stunning twist that has rocked African football, the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has officially overturned Senegal’s Africa Cup of Nations triumph, awarding the 2025 title to Morocco after ruling that the Teranga Lions forfeited the final.
The decision follows a dramatic appeal by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF), who challenged the outcome of the final after their narrow 1–0 defeat to Senegal.
Senegal, led by coach Pape Thiaw, had initially been crowned champions after a tense and controversial encounter. However, the match descended into chaos late on when a penalty was awarded against them, sparking protests from players and officials.
In the heat of the moment, Senegal’s players walked off the pitch in protest, an action that has now proven costly.
After reviewing the case, CAF’s Appeal Board ruled that Senegal’s conduct breached Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON regulations, which cover misconduct and match forfeiture. As a result, the governing body declared the final forfeited, awarding Morocco a 3–0 victory.
“The appeal lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football is upheld… the Senegal National Team is declared to have forfeited the final match, with the result recorded as 3–0 in favour of Morocco,” the CAF statement confirmed.
The ruling also overturned an earlier decision by CAF’s Disciplinary Board, reinforcing the Appeal Board’s stance that Senegal’s actions warranted the ultimate sanction.
Beyond the headline decision, CAF also addressed several incidents surrounding the ill-tempered final. Moroccan midfielder Ismaël Saibari was found guilty of misconduct, though his punishment was reduced to a two-match suspension, with one game suspended, and his $100,000 fine scrapped.
Meanwhile, Morocco were not entirely cleared of wrongdoing. CAF held the federation responsible for incidents involving ball boys, laser interference, and disruptions around the VAR review area. While some fines were reduced, others were upheld, reflecting the chaotic nature of the final.
Despite these findings, CAF maintained that Senegal’s decision to abandon the match, even temporarily, constituted a more serious violation under tournament rules.
The verdict has sent shockwaves across the continent, igniting fierce debate among fans, players, and football authorities, while raising fresh concerns about discipline, officiating, and match control in high-stakes competitions.
For Senegal, it marks a heartbreaking reversal of what had been a moment of glory, now erased by one of the most controversial rulings in AFCON history. For Morocco, it is a historic but fiercely debated triumph, handed to them not on the pitch, but through the boardroom.
Reactions are already pouring in from across the football world, with stakeholders expected to weigh in on the unprecedented decision. More details to follow.
