The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially stripped Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title, awarding victory to Morocco following a controversial incident in the final.
Senegal had originally secured a 1–0 victory over Morocco in the final played on January 18. However, CAF overturned the result after determining that Senegal’s actions during the match breached competition regulations.
In an official statement, CAF declared that Senegal had “forfeited the final match,” with the result recorded as a 3–0 win in favour of Morocco.
Why the Decision Was Taken
The ruling followed an appeal by the Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), which CAF confirmed was admissible and subsequently upheld.
CAF cited violations of Article 82 and Article 84 of AFCON regulations. Article 82 stipulates that any team that refuses to continue play or leaves the pitch without the referee’s approval is considered to have lost the match. Article 84 further enforces a 3–0 forfeiture and potential disqualification.
According to CAF, Senegal’s conduct during the final fell within these provisions.
What Happened in the Final
The controversy began late in the match with the score at 0–0, when referee Jean Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a stoppage-time penalty after consulting VAR over a challenge involving El Hadji Malick Diouf and Brahim Díaz.
Angered by the decision—coming shortly after a Senegal goal by Ismaila Sarr had been disallowed—Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw instructed his players to walk off the pitch in protest.
Despite attempts by Sadio Mané to persuade his teammates to continue, the match was halted for approximately 17 minutes.
When play eventually resumed, Díaz missed the penalty, with goalkeeper Edouard Mendy making a comfortable save. The referee then signalled full-time, and Senegal went on to win in extra time through Pape Gueye.
However, CAF has now nullified that outcome.
Reactions
In its statement, the FRMF said its appeal was not intended to undermine sporting performance but to ensure the proper application of competition rules.
Morocco head coach Walid Regragui condemned Senegal’s actions, describing them as “shameful” and damaging to African football.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino also criticised the incident, referring to the scenes as “ugly.”
Meanwhile, coach Thiaw later admitted he acted “in the heat of the moment” and acknowledged that instructing his players to leave the pitch was a mistake.
