The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has upheld an appeal by the Moroccan Football Federation to award the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title to Morocco national football team, a ruling that has prompted the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF) and the Senegalese government to reject the decision and promise legal action.
The CAF Appeal Board ruled this week that “in application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Senegal National Team is declared to have forfeited the Final Match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 (‘the Match’), with the result of the Match being recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).”
The ruling overturned an earlier decision by the CAF Disciplinary Board in the dispute arising from the final played in Rabat in January, where Senegal had initially beaten Morocco 1‑0 after extra time.
The match was marred by controversy after Senegal’s players briefly walked off the pitch in protest following the award of a late penalty to Morocco.
In a statement announcing its decision, the CAF Appeal Board outlined several key findings, including that “the appeal lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) is declared admissible in form and the appeal is upheld,” and that “the CAF Disciplinary Board decision is set aside.”
The board further held that “the conduct of the Senegal team falls within the scope of Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations,” and that “the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), through the conduct of its team, infringed Article 82 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations.”
“In application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations, the Senegal team is declared to have forfeited the match,” the ruling concluded.
Senegal has angrily rejected the verdict. In a separate statement, the Senegalese government described the decision as “an unprecedented and exceptionally serious decision” based on “a manifestly erroneous interpretation of the regulations, leading to a grossly illegal and deeply unjust decision.”
It added: “Senegal unequivocally rejects this unjustified attempt at dispossession.”
The FSF has confirmed it will appeal the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), with Secretary‑General Abdoulaye Seydou Sow telling Senegalese television: “This decision is a breach of trust that is not based on any rule of law.”
He added: “We felt that the jury wasn’t there to uphold the law, but to carry out an order. We will stop at nothing. The law is on our side. The fight is far from over. Senegal will defend its rights to the very end.”
The fallout has extended to players. Senegal and Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye wrote on social media: “We know what we experienced that evening in Rabat. And no‑one can take that away from us.”
The controversial walk‑off has also drawn international attention. Gianni Infantino, President of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), condemned the incident, saying that such behaviour was “unacceptable” and must be “condemned and never repeated.”
Beyond the final result, the CAF Appeal Board also amended disciplinary sanctions relating to the match.
The board partially upheld an appeal concerning Moroccan player Ismaël Saibari (No. 11), confirming misconduct by Saibari in violation of Articles 82 and 83(1) of the CAF Disciplinary Code, and amending his sanction to “a suspension of two (2) official CAF matches, of which one (1) match is suspended,” while setting aside a fine of US$100,000 previously imposed.
The board further addressed an incident involving match officials and ball boys, noting that “the CAF Appeal Board confirms the finding that the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) is responsible for the conduct of the ball boys during the aforementioned match,” and reduced the fine imposed on FRMF to US$50,000.
However, the appeal regarding interference in the OFR/VAR review area was dismissed, and the US$100,000 fine imposed on FRMF in that regard was confirmed. The fine linked to a laser incident was reduced to US$10,000.
