Almost unbelievable but the verdict stands. It’s the ultimate price to pay for a “Walk-off”
The controversy surrounding the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final has finally taken a dramatic turn, with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) officially awarding the title to Morocco after ruling that Senegal forfeited the match.
The decision, delivered by CAF’s Appeal Board, overturns an earlier ruling and stems from a protest filed by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF), which challenged incidents that occurred during the final.
CAF found that Senegal breached Articles 82 and 84 of the competition’s regulations, holding the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football responsible for the conduct of its team. The violation was deemed severe enough to warrant forfeiture, with Morocco awarded a 3-0 victory.
Reacting to the outcome, the FRMF welcomed the verdict, stressing that its appeal was not aimed at undermining sporting merit.
It added that the body remains committed to upholding fairness and structure within African football.
“The Federation reaffirms its commitment to respecting the rules, ensuring clarity in the competitive framework, and maintaining stability within African competitions. It also wishes to commend all the nations that took part in this edition of the AFCON, which has been a major moment for African football. The Federation will make an official statement tomorrow, after convening its governing bodies.”
The ruling has also reshaped the personal fortunes of several high-profile players.
Among those stripped of their champion status are Sadio Mané, Idrissa Gueye, Iliman Ndiaye, Mamadou Sarr, Nicolas Jackson, El Hadji Malick Diouf and Ismaïla Sarr, all part of the Senegal squad now denied the title.
Conversely, Moroccan stars such as Noussair Mazraoui, Achraf Hakimi and Brahim Díaz can now celebrate a delayed continental triumph.
In addition to the headline decision, CAF reviewed disciplinary matters linked to the final. Moroccan player Ismaël Saibari had his punishment reduced to a two-match suspension, with one suspended, while a $100,000 fine was cancelled.
The Moroccan federation was also sanctioned over off-field incidents, including the conduct of ball boys, with fines adjusted. A $100,000 penalty related to interference around the VAR review area was upheld, while another linked to a laser incident was reduced.
All other appeals were dismissed, bringing closure to a dispute that has cast a long shadow over one of AFCON’s most contentious finals.
While Morocco celebrates a title secured through regulatory victory, Senegal is left to grapple with a painful reversal, one that will remain etched in African football history for years to come.
