Bookmakers pay out on Morocco AFCON win after CAF strips Senegal of title
The fallout from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final continues to spread beyond the pitch, with major European betting platforms now paying out winnings on Morocco after CAF’s controversial ruling.
Operators in the United Kingdom and France moved quickly to settle bets following the decision by the Confederation of African Football to strip Senegal of the title and award a 3-0 victory to Morocco.
The move has added a commercial dimension to what is already one of the most debated decisions in African football history.
Major betting firms confirm Payouts
Several leading bookmakers confirmed that wagers placed on Morocco to win the tournament had been settled:
- Sky Bet announced it had paid out all outright market bets in favour of Morocco
- Betfair confirmed Morocco bets were resettled as winners, while previously paid Senegal bets would also stand as a goodwill gesture
- Paddy Power described its payout as a “justice” decision, covering both single and multiple bets
- Betclic also honoured Morocco bets, referencing the dramatic penalty moment in the final
The decisions highlight how betting markets respond not just to on-field results, but to official rulings by governing bodies.
The decision behind the payouts
CAF’s Appeals Board ruled that Senegal had forfeited the final after breaching competition regulations by leaving the field during a protest. Under Articles 82 and 84, any team that exits the pitch without referee approval can be sanctioned with a 3-0 defeat.
The incident occurred during stoppage time of the final in Rabat, when a VAR decision awarded Morocco a penalty. Senegal’s players left the field for around 15 minutes in protest, before eventually returning.
Although Brahim Díaz missed the resulting penalty, Senegal went on to score through Pape Gueye and initially claimed a 1-0 victory after extra time. However, Morocco’s appeal led to the unprecedented reversal of the result nearly two months later.
A Complex Situation for Betting Markets
The bookmakers’ response reveals the complexity of settling bets in situations where official outcomes change after the fact. Typically, betting settlements are based on final official results. However, in this case:
- Morocco bets have been paid following CAF’s ruling
- Senegal bets already settled have not been reversed in some cases
- Some operators framed the decision as a goodwill or exceptional gesture
This dual payout approach reflects both customer relations considerations and the unusual nature of the ruling.
Controversy extends beyond football
The situation continues to escalate beyond sport. The Senegalese Football Federation has confirmed plans to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, where a final verdict could potentially overturn CAF’s ruling.
At the same time, the Senegalese government has called for an investigation into alleged corruption within CAF, further intensifying scrutiny on the organisation.
A defining moment for African Football
This episode has become more than just a dispute over a single match. It raises broader questions about the consistency of rule enforcement, the timing of disciplinary decisions and the wider impact of rulings on commercial partners and stakeholders.
With bookmakers already adjusting payouts and legal challenges on the horizon, the full consequences of CAF’s decision are still unfolding.
SportsLigue