The Confederation of African Football’s appeal judges have overturned the on-field outcome of the TotalEnergies AFCON Morocco 2025 final, ruling that Senegal forfeited the match and awarding Morocco a 3–0 victory under Article 84 of the competition regulations.
The controversial decision, published Tuesday on CAF’s official website, upheld Morocco’s appeal and set aside the earlier ruling of the CAF Disciplinary Board.
Senegal had originally won the final 1–0 after extra time in Rabat on 18 January, but the match became engulfed in controversy late in regulation time.
With the score still 0–0, Morocco were awarded a stoppage-time penalty after a VAR review—prompting Senegal’s players to leave the pitch in protest for around 17 minutes before returning to complete the match. Morocco’s Brahim Díaz saw his penalty saved by Edouard Mendy, and Senegal went on to win by a lone goal in extra time through Pape Gueye.
Credible News reports that tension had already been rising after a Senegal goal was disallowed shortly before the penalty incident even as fans attempted to storm the field during the stoppage.
Also Read: CAF sanctions Senegal, Morocco over AFCON 2025 final chaos
CAF’s appeal board found Senegal’s conduct fell within Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON regulations, validating Morocco’s protest. Article 82 covers situations where a team refuses to play or leaves the field before full time without the referee’s authorisation, and Article 84 provides the sporting consequence—a 3–0 loss and elimination—when Article 82 is breached.
CAF said the appeal was admissible and upheld, the disciplinary decision was set aside, and Senegal were declared to have forfeited, with the match recorded 3–0 for Morocco. CAF also noted that all other motions/prayers for relief linked to the main appeal were dismissed. CAF
Sanctions update
CAF also detailed changes to sanctions and fines connected to incidents during the final. Morocco’s Ismaël Saibari misconduct finding was upheld, but sanction reduced to two-match suspension (one match suspended); the earlier $100,000 fine was cancelled.
CAF also held Morocco’s federation responsible for the misbehaviour of Ball Boys but reduced the fine to $50,000.
The ruling gives Morocco their first AFCON title since 1976, while Senegal are denied what would have been a second title in five years (after 2021).
Morocco’s federation insisted the appeal was not aimed at Senegal’s sporting performance but at “application of the competition’s regulations”. Senegal is yet to respond to the latest development, but the next step could be the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Crediblenewsng.com
