The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has overturned Senegal’s victory in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) final, handing Morocco the title instead. The decision follows a protest by Senegalese players after a controversial penalty decision in the match played on January 18.
Key details of the CAF ruling
- The Senegalese national team has been sanctioned for leaving the field during the final against Morocco, which ended 1-0 in extra time after a dramatic penalty miss.
- The CAF Appeal Board ruled that Senegal forfeited the match, awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory on administrative grounds.
- The Senegalese Football Federation has 10 days to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
What happened during the final?
The turning point came in the 118th minute when the referee awarded a penalty to Morocco. Senegalese players, including several star performers, walked off the pitch in protest, leading to a 20-minute delay as supporters stormed the field. The match resumed under chaotic conditions, with Morocco’s penalty ultimately saved, but Senegal went on to win in extra time.
The Moroccan Football Federation immediately filed a complaint with CAF, arguing that Senegal’s actions violated tournament regulations. After reviewing the case, the CAF Appeal Board concluded that the Senegalese team’s conduct breached articles 82 and 84 of the CAN regulations, which mandate a forfeit and a 3-0 loss for teams leaving the field without authorization.
Reactions and next steps
The CAF’s unprecedented decision has sparked strong reactions from Senegalese players and officials. Some have taken to social media to express disbelief, with midfielder Pape Demba Diop calling the situation “crazy” and teammate Moussa Niakhaté urging fans to “come and get” the trophy. The Moroccan Football Federation, meanwhile, has accepted the ruling, emphasizing that its appeal was about regulatory compliance rather than contesting sporting merit.
Senegal now has the option to challenge the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) within 10 days. Should they pursue this route, the case could set a significant precedent for future African football tournaments.