The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeal Board has delivered a groundbreaking and highly controversial decision, officially crowning Morocco as champions of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025. This ruling overturns the on-field result of the final match played on January 18, 2026, in Rabat, where Senegal had initially emerged victorious with a 1-0 win in extra time, thanks to Pape Gueye’s spectacular strike. The appeal, lodged by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), centered on chaotic events late in regulation time that saw the Senegal team briefly walk off the pitch in protest.
The incident stemmed from a contentious stoppage-time penalty awarded to Morocco following a VAR review. Referee Jean Jacques Ndala, after consulting the pitchside monitor, pointed to the spot for a handball by Senegal defender El Hadji Malick Diouf on Morocco’s Brahim Diaz. This decision came amid heightened tensions, as Senegal had earlier seen what appeared to be a legitimate goal disallowed. Furious with the call, Senegal coach Pape Thiaw directed his players off the field, leading to a prolonged disruption with players from both sides involved in arguments and scuffles. Brahim Diaz eventually took the penalty but failed spectacularly with a weak Panenka attempt, which was comfortably saved by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. The match resumed, proceeded to extra time, and Senegal secured the win.
However, months later, the CAF Appeal Board determined that Senegal’s walk-off constituted a serious breach of tournament regulations. Specifically, the board applied Article 84 of the AFCON Regulations, which addresses refusal to play, abandoning the field without authorization, or similar acts of non-compliance. The regulations state that such conduct results in the team being considered the loser, eliminated from the competition, and the match forfeited. As a direct consequence, the final result has been retrospectively recorded as a 3-0 walkover victory for Morocco, the host nation.
The CAF statement emphasized that after thorough review of Morocco’s appeal and the relevant articles (including references to Article 82 in some contexts), the board upheld the forfeiture claim. This unprecedented post-tournament reversal strips Senegal of their second AFCON title (following their 2021 triumph) and hands Morocco their first continental crown since 1976, now celebrated on home soil. The decision has sent shockwaves across African football, with debates raging over refereeing consistency, the role of VAR, disciplinary proportionality, and the integrity of competition outcomes months after the event.
Senegal’s football authorities and supporters have expressed deep disappointment, with some labeling the ruling as politically influenced or inconsistent, given the match ultimately concluded and a winner was declared on the day. Morocco, meanwhile, has welcomed the outcome as justice served for what they viewed as unacceptable behavior during the final. Additional sanctions, including fines and potential suspensions for Senegal’s coaching staff related to inciting the protest, have also been reported in connection with the broader disciplinary findings.
This historic ruling reshapes the AFCON 2025 legacy and raises important questions about how confederations handle appeals involving on-field protests and rule adherence in high-stakes matches.
