CAF overturns Senegal’s CAN 2025 victory, awards trophy to Morocco
Key takeaways from the CAF appeal board’s decision
- The CAF Appeal Board has overturned Senegal’s victory in the CAN 2025 final, originally won 1-0 in extra time against Morocco on January 18.
- The decision follows the Senegalese team’s walk-off protest after a penalty call against them in stoppage time.
- Morocco has been declared winners by default with a 3-0 scoreline, despite losing the match on the field.
- The Senegal Football Federation has ten days to file an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has made a historic ruling in African football by stripping Senegal of their CAN 2025 title following the chaotic final against Morocco. The appeal board concluded that the Senegalese team’s actions—leaving the pitch in protest—constituted a forfeit under tournament regulations, handing Morocco an unprecedented victory on administrative grounds.
What triggered the appeal and the CAF’s ruling
The controversy erupted during the final whistle of extra time. With a penalty awarded to Morocco in the dying moments, most Senegalese players abandoned the field, protesting what they deemed an unfair decision. The situation escalated as supporters invaded the pitch, leading to a prolonged delay. Although play resumed and Senegal eventually won 1-0 through Pape Gueye’s goal, the match’s aftermath triggered Morocco’s formal protest to the CAF.
The CAF Appeal Board ruled that Senegal’s departure from the field without referee authorization violated CAN 2025 regulations, specifically Articles 82 and 84, which mandate a 3-0 forfeit for teams leaving the pitch prematurely. The board stated in their official communication:
“The CAF Appeal Board, in accordance with Article 84 of the Regulations of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, has declared the Senegal national team forfeited during the final of the 2025 edition. The result is officially recorded as a 3-0 victory for the Royal Moroccan Football Federation.”
This decision marks the first time in African football history that a title has been awarded on such grounds, highlighting the strict enforcement of tournament rules.
Reactions and next steps for Senegal
The CAF’s decision has sparked strong reactions from Senegalese players and officials. Midfielder Pape Demba Diop expressed disbelief on social media, while teammate Moussa Niakhaté questioned the legitimacy of the outcome in a series of posts. The Senegal Football Federation has confirmed it is considering all legal avenues, including filing an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) within the ten-day window provided by CAF regulations.
The Moroccan Football Federation, while acknowledging the ruling, reiterated that their protest was never about the sporting performances but strictly about ensuring the correct application of competition rules. Despite the controversy, Morocco’s path to the title has been officially recognized, leaving Senegal to fight for justice in the coming days.
