Senegal have been sensationally stripped of their 2025 AFCON tile.
Image: Sebastien Bozon/AFP
In a stunning administrative twist, the Confédération of African Football (CAF) has officially handed Morocco the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title after ruling that Senegal forfeited the final.
The decision, delivered by CAF’s Appeal Board, comes after the Fédération of Moroccan Football (FRMF) successfully challenged the initial outcome, citing breaches of tournament regulations by the Senegal national team.
At the centre of the ruling is the application of Articles 82 and 84, which the Appeal Board found Senegal had infringed through the conduct of their team after they staged a walkout during the match on account of a poor refereeing penalty call.
As a result, the final has been recorded as a 3-0 victory in favour of Morocco — effectively overturning the result on the pitch.
“The appeal lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) is declared admissible in form and the appeal is upheld,” CAF confirmed.
The governing body went further, setting aside the earlier decision by its Disciplinary Board and upholding Morocco’s protest in full.
“It is declared that the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), through the conduct of its team, infringed Article 82… the Senegal team is declared to have forfeited the match, with the result recorded as 3–0 in favour of the FRMF,” the statement read.
The ruling does more than just decide a winner — it reshapes the narrative of the tournament’s climax, with Morocco now crowned champions not by goals scored, but by regulatory enforcement.
There were also consequences for Morocco despite the favourable outcome.
Midfielder Ismaël Saibari was found guilty of misconduct, though his punishment was reduced to a two-match suspension, with one game suspended.
Notably, a hefty $100,000 fine (appr. R1.85 million) initially imposed on the player was scrapped.
CAF also held Morocco accountable for organisational lapses.
The federation was fined $50,000 (appr. R925,000) for the conduct of ball boys, while a separate $100,000 fine (appro. R1.85 million) relating to interference around the VAR review area was upheld in full.
A further sanction tied to the use of lasers during the match was reduced to $10,000 (approximately R185,000).
“All other motions or prayers for relief are dismissed,” CAF concluded.
For Senegal, the decision marks a bitter end to their AFCON campaign, while for Morocco, it is a title secured in the boardroom — one that will undoubtedly divide opinion across African football.