AFCON Drama: CAF declares Morocco winner 2 months after Senegal won

The Confederation of African Football has awarded the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title to Morocco after its appeal board ruled that Senegal forfeited the final of the tournament following a successful protest by the Moroccan football federation

The decision, announced on Tuesday, overturned an earlier disciplinary ruling after an appeal by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football, with the board finding that Senegal breached competition regulations.

The CAF Appeal Board stated in its ruling, “The Senegal National Team is declared to have forfeited the Final Match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025, with the result of the Match being recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football.”

The ruling was made in application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations, under which the appeal board set aside the earlier decision of the CAF Disciplinary Board and upheld Morocco’s protest.

On Senegal’s conduct, the board ruled, “The Fédération Sénégalaise de Football, through the conduct of its team, infringed Article 82 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations,” adding that “the appeal lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football is declared admissible in form and the appeal is upheld.”

The appeal board also addressed a series of related disciplinary matters involving both federations.

On Moroccan player Ismaël Saibari, the board confirmed a finding of misconduct in violation of Articles 82 and 83(1) of the CAF Disciplinary Code but amended his sanction. The board ruled that “the sanction imposed on Mr Ismaël Saibari is amended to a suspension of two official CAF matches, of which one match is suspended,” while the $100,000 fine previously imposed on the player was set aside.

Regarding incidents involving ball boys during the match, the board found the FRMF responsible for their conduct, ruling that “the fine imposed on the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football in respect of the ball boys incident is reduced to USD 50,000.”

On the laser incident, the board ruled that “the fine imposed on the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football in respect of the laser incident is reduced to USD 10,000.” However, the appeal concerning interference around the VAR review area was dismissed, with the board confirming the $100,000 fine imposed on the FRMF in that respect.

Morocco, who hosted the tournament, are therefore crowned AFCON 2025 champions by ruling of the appeal board rather than on the final whistle, in one of the most extraordinary conclusions to an Africa Cup of Nations in the competition’s history.

Senegal had originally been declared winners of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after defeating hosts Morocco 1–0 in the final played in Rabat, with the match decided in extra time after a tense and controversial encounter.

The final was overshadowed by several incidents, including protests by Senegal’s players and technical crew after a late refereeing decision, as well as confrontations involving players, officials, and match personnel during the closing stages of the game.

Following the match, the Confederation of African Football disciplinary board sanctioned both the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football and the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football over misconduct during the final, issuing fines and suspensions to players and officials from both teams.

CAF had initially upheld the result of the match despite Morocco lodging a protest, ruling at the time that the final scoreline would stand while disciplinary penalties were imposed separately.

Tuesday’s appeal decision, however, overturned that earlier position after the Moroccan federation challenged the disciplinary ruling, leading to the forfeiture decision that awarded the title to the host nation.