CAF strips Senegal of AFCON title, Morocco crowned champions
Confederation of African Football (CAF) has stripped Senegal national football team of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title, awarding the trophy to Morocco national football team following a controversial final.
CAF ruled that Senegal forfeited the match after their players walked off the pitch in protest, with the result officially recorded as a 3-0 victory for Morocco.
- Read also: Senegal beat Morocco to win AFCON 2025
What happened in the Final?
The final, played at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, was marred by chaos late in the game. With the score at 0-0:
- Referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a stoppage-time penalty after a VAR review
- Senegal players protested and temporarily walked off the pitch
- The match was delayed for nearly 20 minutes
When play resumed, Brahim Díaz missed the penalty, and Pape Gueye later scored in extra time to give Senegal a 1-0 win, a result that initially crowned them champions.
Why CAF overturned the result
CAF’s decision was based on tournament regulations. According to its rules:
- Any team that leaves the pitch without the referee’s permission is considered to have forfeited
- The match is automatically awarded as a 3-0 loss
CAF concluded that Senegal violated these rules, making Morocco the official winners. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) clarified that its appeal was about enforcing regulations, not disputing the match itself.
Chaos on and off the Pitch
The closing stages of the final saw intense scenes where Senegal players protested multiple refereeing decisions, a disallowed goal earlier in stoppage time added to tensions and some fans attempted a pitch invasion before being contained. Despite the controversy, Senegal celebrated on the night, even holding a trophy parade, a moment that now exists in sharp contrast to CAF’s ruling.
Reactions and Fallout
The decision has sparked widespread debate across African football. Sadio Mané reportedly tried to calm teammates during the incident, while Morocco’s camp labelled the scenes unacceptable.
Gianni Infantino condemned the events, describing them as damaging to the image of the game. Football observers also note that the emotional reality of Senegal’s on-field victory cannot be erased, even if the official record now tells a different story.
Could Senegal Appeal?
Senegal may not be done yet. The next possible step would be an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which could review CAF’s decision. If pursued, the case could become one of the most controversial legal battles in African football history.
A Title decided off the pitch
This ruling leaves AFCON 2025 with a complicated legacy. On the pitch, Senegal celebrated victory. On paper, Morocco are champions. It’s a rare and dramatic reminder that the final whistle doesn’t always bring the final decision.
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