In a move that has sent shockwaves through African football, CAF released a statement on Tuesday announcing that Senegal has forfeited the AFCON 2025 final, which was held on January 18. Despite being defeated 1-0 after extra time before a home crowd, Morocco has been awarded the victory by a 3-0 scoreline on a technicality.
“The appeal jury of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has decided, in application of Article 84 of the regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations, to declare the national team of Senegal forfeited from the final of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025,” the governing body announced. “The result is homologated with a score of 3-0 in favor of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF).”
Senegal sanctioned for abandoning the pitch
CAF’s decision to penalize Senegal stems from the tumultuous events that unfolded at the end of the match. After Morocco was awarded a penalty—which Brahim Diaz famously missed with a disastrous panenka attempt—the majority of Senegal’s players left the field and went to their locker room in protest. Their actions were followed by some supporters of the team, led by star Sadio Mané, invading the pitch, which led to crowd movement and clashes with security personnel.
Following a period of significant confusion, the game eventually restarted with Diaz’s penalty miss and proceeded into extra time. It was there that Pape Gueye scored the winning goal, becoming a national hero and securing what was thought to be a fantastic victory for the Lions of Teranga.
Morocco’s 49-year wait for a title is over
This decision, a first for a competition of such high standing, is poised to trigger a massive number of reactions. For Senegalese supporters, the ruling is likely to be perceived as a great injustice and a stolen victory for their nation.
On the other hand, fans in Morocco can now celebrate the end of a nearly half-century-long drought at the AFCON. This marks their second continental championship, achieved at home under the leadership of Walid Regragui (who has since been replaced by Mohamed Ouahbi). Observers across the football world are also expected to react strongly to this historic ruling by the CAF appeal jury.
Saibari and Morocco fined over towel incidents
Beyond the seismic news of Senegal’s forfeiture, CAF also confirmed sanctions against Morocco’s Ismaël Saibari for taking the opposing goalkeeper’s towel during the final. The PSV player has been handed a two-match suspension, with one match suspended, but his $100,000 fine has been rescinded.
In a related penalty, the Moroccan Football Federation is required to pay a fine of $50,000 for the actions of its ball boys during the final. On several occasions, they were observed taking the towels belonging to Senegal’s goalkeeper.
While Morocco had appealed the initial CAF decisions, which it considered too lenient towards Senegal, the Senegalese Football Federation had not filed an appeal. However, in light of the appeal jury’s verdict on Tuesday, it is widely expected that the Senegalese body will now take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
