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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially overturned the result of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final, stripping Senegal of the title and awarding a 3-0 victory to Morocco following a dramatic post-match ruling by its Appeal Board.
In a decision that has sent shockwaves across African football, Morocco have now been crowned champions of the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 after CAF ruled that Senegal forfeited the final match due to a player walk-off during a heated dispute.
The controversial final, played in Rabat, had initially ended in a 1-0 victory for Senegal after extra time. However, the match was marred by chaotic scenes late in regulation time when a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) decision awarded Morocco a penalty. The call, which came after Moroccan forward Brahim Diaz was adjudged to have been fouled in the box, sparked outrage from the Senegalese bench.
Senegal’s head coach, Pape Thiaw, responded by instructing his players to walk off the pitch in protest. The action led to a temporary suspension of the game, drawing criticism from fans and officials alike. Although the players later returned to complete the match, CAF’s Appeal Board ruled that the initial walk-off constituted a breach of tournament regulations.
In its detailed statement, CAF confirmed that Morocco’s appeal was upheld and that Senegal’s actions fell within violations outlined in Articles 82 and 84 of AFCON regulations. These provisions relate to misconduct and failure to comply with match procedures, including abandoning the field of play.
“The Senegal National Team is declared to have forfeited the Final Match… with the result recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football,” CAF stated.
The ruling effectively nullifies Senegal’s on-field victory and denies them what would have been their second AFCON title. Instead, Morocco, who hosted the tournament, are awarded the championship in what is now one of the most controversial conclusions in the competition’s history.
Despite the turmoil, Senegal captain Sadio Mane attempted to restore order during the incident. Mane revealed after the match that he disagreed with the decision to abandon play and took it upon himself to convince his teammates to return to the pitch.
“When they decided to go out and not play, I stayed and asked if it was a good idea,” Mane said. “I decided to bring everyone back because this is football. The referee can make mistakes, but it is important to respect the game.”
Following the resumption of play, Diaz missed the resulting penalty, attempting a Panenka that was comfortably saved. The match then proceeded into extra time, where Senegal midfielder Papa Gueye scored what appeared to be the winning goal.
However, the administrative ruling has now erased that result from official records.
CAF’s decision also addressed several disciplinary issues that occurred during the match. While Morocco emerged as beneficiaries of the ruling, their football federation was not spared sanctions. The Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football was fined $100,000 for interference around the VAR review area, after officials were reportedly harassed during the decision-making process.
Additional fines were imposed for fan misconduct. A penalty for the use of laser pointers by home supporters was reduced to $10,000, while a separate sanction involving ball boys was cut to $50,000.
Despite these penalties, the overarching outcome remains Morocco’s elevation to champions, rewriting the narrative of the tournament.
The decision highlights CAF’s strict stance on adherence to match regulations and sets a precedent for handling similar incidents in future competitions. For Senegal, the ruling represents a devastating reversal, turning a hard-fought triumph into a disciplinary defeat.
As reactions continue to pour in from across the footballing world, the 2025 AFCON final will be remembered not for its football, but for the unprecedented events that ultimately decided its fate.
Report by Dayo Emmanuel
