In a dramatic and highly controversial turn of events, Morocco national football team have been officially declared winners of AFCON 2025, after Senegal national football team were stripped of their title following a ruling by CAF’s appeal board.
Senegal had originally won the final 1-0 against Morocco on 18 January in Rabat, with Pape Gueye scoring the decisive goal in extra time after a tense and goalless 90 minutes. However, the match was overshadowed by a major controversy late in regulation time that ultimately led to the unprecedented decision.
Why Were Senegal Stripped Of Their AFCON Win?
The turning point came during stoppage time when Morocco were awarded a penalty in a highly disputed moment. The decision triggered chaos, as Senegal’s players, reportedly following instructions from head coach Pape Thiaw, walked off the pitch in protest. The situation escalated further when Sadio Mané was seen urging his teammates to return to the field, attempting to defuse the situation.
After a delay of nearly 17 minutes, Senegal eventually resumed play. Morocco’s Brahim Díaz stepped up to take the penalty but failed to convert, keeping the score level. The match proceeded to extra time, where Senegal found the breakthrough and secured what initially appeared to be their second AFCON title.
However, Morocco’s football federation filed an official appeal after the match, citing a breach of tournament regulations. CAF’s appeal board reviewed the incident and ruled that Senegal had violated Article 82, which states that a team leaving the field without the referee’s permission is considered to have forfeited the match. Under Article 84, such a violation results in an automatic loss.
The CAF Appeal Board decided 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”),…
— CAF Media (@CAF_Media) March 17, 2026
As a result, CAF awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory by default, overturning the final result and handing them the title. This marks Morocco’s first AFCON triumph since 1976, making it a historic yet controversial achievement.
While Morocco have welcomed the decision, stating their commitment to upholding the rules, Senegal are yet to officially respond. The ruling has sparked widespread debate across the football world, raising serious questions about discipline, officiating, and how such incidents should be handled on the biggest stages.
Also Read: How Tactical Systems In Football Have Become More Important Than Individual Superstars
