Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
In a highly controversial and unprecedented decision, the Confederation of African Football has officially stripped Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title and awarded it to Morocco following a ruling by its Appeals Committee.
The decision comes after the Moroccan Football Federation lodged a formal appeal challenging the outcome of the final. After reviewing the case, CAF’s Appeal Board concluded that Senegal had committed a serious breach of tournament regulations, ultimately leading to the annulment of the original result.
According to CAF, the ruling was based on Articles 82 and 84 of the competition’s regulations, which govern disciplinary violations and forfeiture. The governing body determined that the Senegalese team effectively forfeited the match after leaving the pitch for more than 15 minutes before the final whistle, an act deemed equivalent to a “no-show” under tournament rules.
As a result, the match has been officially recorded as a 3-0 victory in favor of Morocco, handing them the AFCON 2025 title by administrative decision rather than on-field play.
The development marks one of the most dramatic reversals in the history of African football, raising questions about discipline, sportsmanship, and the enforcement of regulations at the highest level of the continental game.
In addition to the title reassignment, CAF also announced a series of disciplinary measures affecting both sides. Moroccan international Ismaël Saibari was handed a two-match suspension, although a previously reported $100,000 fine against him was ultimately withdrawn.
The Moroccan federation was also fined, albeit with reduced penalties, over incidents involving ball boys and the use of laser pointers during matches earlier in the tournament.
While Morocco now stands as the official champion of AFCON 2025, the decision is expected to generate significant debate across the football world, particularly among fans and officials in Senegal, where the ruling is likely to be met with strong objections and calls for further review.
The controversy underscores CAF’s willingness to strictly enforce its regulations, even in the most consequential matches, setting a powerful precedent for future tournaments.
