Senegal has been stripped of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title, and handed to Morocco, it’s official!
The Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) Appeal Board has ruled that Senegal forfeited the controversial final of the AFCON 2025, handing Morocco a 3–0 victory.
The decision follows a successful appeal by the Royal Federation of Moroccan Football (FRMF), which challenged an earlier ruling by the CAF Disciplinary Board.
This, follows ugly scenes in Rabat where the Lions of Teranga walked off the pitch in protest on January 18 2026.
Pape Gueye scored the decisive goal in extra time after a chaotic match, which included a missed penalty.
The Appeal Board declared the Moroccan federation’s submission admissible and upheld the appeal in full, setting aside the previous decision.
In its findings, CAF determined that the conduct of the Senegal national team fell within the scope of Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON regulations.
The board concluded that the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), through the actions of its team, had breached Article 82.
As a result, Article 84 was applied, leading to Senegal being declared to have forfeited the final. The match has now been officially recorded as a 3–0 win in favour of Morocco.
The ruling effectively awards Morocco victory in one of African football’s most prestigious fixtures under regulatory provisions, rather than the outcome on the pitch.
CAF also confirmed that all other motions and requests for relief submitted during the appeal process were dismissed.
The decision brings closure to the dispute surrounding the final, while reinforcing CAF’s commitment to enforcing tournament regulations.
A final like no other……
Senegal edged Morocco 1–0 on 18 January in a dramatic and highly charged Africa Cup of Nations final that descended into chaos late in normal time.
With the match still goalless in stoppage time, Morocco were awarded a penalty following a VAR review. The decision sparked fury among Senegal’s players, who initially refused to continue. Tensions boiled over on the touchline and in the stands, where clashes broke out after some Senegal fans attempted to invade the pitch.
After a delay of roughly 17 minutes, order was eventually restored and play resumed. Brahim Díaz stepped up with the weight of history on his shoulders, knowing a goal would end Morocco’s 50-year wait for an AFCON title. However, his attempted chip straight down the middle proved costly, as Edouard Mendy held his nerve and made a straightforward save.
The match then moved into extra time, where Senegal capitalised on their reprieve. Pape Gueye struck the decisive goal to seal a hard-fought victory and crown Senegal champions in one of the most extraordinary finals in the tournament’s history.
Now, 58 days later, the Senegal National Team is declared to have forfeited the Final Match!
Senegal Can Appeal to CAS
For the first time in AFCON history, a champion has been officially disqualified after the tournament concluded.
CAF decision is now FINAL within CAF. This is the last appellate body within CAF’s internal system — meaning no further appeal is possible inside CAF itself.
However, Senegal can take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Only CAS may hear appeals against disciplinary decisions taken ‘in the last instance’ by CAF bodies.
Under CAF statutes, the federation has the right to escalate the matter to CAS after exhausting all internal appeal processes.
This avenue offers a formal, independent platform where procedural fairness and application of CAF regulations can be scrutinized.
Senegal’s legal team is surely expected to review the case, assessing whether there were any misapplications of rules or violations of the team’s rights during the disciplinary process.
Such an appeal must be filed with CAS within 10 days of the notification of the final decision.
