Morocco were on Tuesday declared the winner of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) overturned the result of the final against Senegal.
According to CAF, the decision followed a review of events during and after the match played in Rabat.
Recall that Senegal had beaten Morocco 1-0 in the final on January 18, but the match was affected by a stoppage after Senegal players protested a penalty decision before play later resumed.
However, CAF on Tuesday ruled that Senegal forfeited the match and awarded a 3-0 result in favour of Morocco.
The decision was based on provisions of the competition regulations.
January 18, 2026: Final match in Rabat
Senegal defeated Morocco 1-0 in the AFCON final played in Rabat, and the match went into extra time after a goalless regulation period.
During the game, Senegal players staged a walkout for about 15–17 minutes to protest a penalty awarded to Morocco.
The penalty was later missed after play resumed.
Brahim Diaz saw his effort saved before Pape Gueye scored the winning goal in extra time to seal victory for Senegal.
Post-match: Morocco files complaint
Following the match, Morocco lodged a formal complaint with CAF over the conduct of the Senegal players, focusing on the walkout during the game.
CAF opened a review process after receiving the protest from the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football, and the matter was referred to its disciplinary bodies.
The development set in motion a series of reviews that would later affect the outcome of the final.
Early March 2026: Initial review
An initial CAF disciplinary panel reviewed the case and assessed the incident, as the panel considered the walkout and its impact on the match.
The infraction was initially deemed less severe, leading to reactions from different quarters and the decision did not change the match result at that stage.
However, the ruling was challenged, leading to further review by CAF’s Appeal Board.
March 17, 2026: CAF overturns result
CAF’s Appeal Board overturned the earlier decision and ruled that Senegal breached Articles 82 and 84 of the regulations.
The provisions relate to leaving the field without authorisation.
A statement from CAF said Senegal are “declared to have forfeited the final match” with the “result of the match being recorded as 3-0 in favour” of Morocco.
CAF added that “through the conduct of its team” Senegal infringed on Article 82 of the regulations of the AFCON, and as a result, Article 84 became applicable.
Regulations behind decision
Article 82 states that if a team refuses to play or leaves the field before the end of regulation time without the referee’s authorisation, it will be considered the loser.
Article 84 complements this provision, stating that any team that violates Article 82 will be eliminated and will lose the match 3-0.
CAF applied these provisions in reaching its decision to award the match to Morocco.
Outcome: Morocco declared champions
Following the ruling, Senegal’s 1-0 win was cancelled and replaced with a 3-0 forfeiture. Morocco were then declared champions of the 2025 AFCON.
CAF stated that “the Senegal national team is declared to have forfeited the final match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025, with the result recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football.”
The decision marked a major development in the outcome of the tournament months after the final.
March 18, 2026: Senegal to appeal
The Senegalese Football Federation rejected the decision of CAF’s Appeal Board and announced plans to challenge the ruling.
“The Senegalese Football Federation has today taken note of the notification of the decision rendered on March 17, 2026, by the Appeals Committee of the Confederation of African Football, in the context of case DC23316,” the statement read.
“To defend its rights and the interests of Senegalese football, the Federation will initiate, as soon as possible, an appeal procedure before the Court of Arbitration for Sport,” the statement said.
FSF cites procedural issues
The federation said the appeal board admitted the protest by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football and overturned the earlier decision of the CAF Disciplinary Board.
“With this decision, the CAF Appeals Board declared the appeal of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation admissible and accepted it.
“In doing so, the board overturned the decision rendered by the CAF Disciplinary Board, on the grounds that the appellant’s right to be heard had not been respected during the initial proceedings,” the FSF said.
Senegal’s reaction
Reacting to the verdict, the federation criticised the decision and said it affects African football. It maintained that it would pursue the matter further.
“The Senegalese Football Federation denounces an unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable decision that discredits African football,” the statement added.
The federation said it would continue to provide updates as the case progresses.
