Morocco have been declared winners of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) overturned the result of the final following Senegal’s controversial walk-off.
Senegal had defeated Morocco 1-0 in the Jan. 18 final. The match was overshadowed by a stoppage-time incident in which Senegal’s players refused to continue play after a penalty was awarded to the hosts with the score level.
After a delay of about 17 minutes, play resumed. Morocco’s Brahim Diaz had his penalty saved before Senegal’s Pape Gueye scored the winning goal in extra time.
CAF’s appeals board has now overturned that result. In a statement, CAF said Senegal were “declared to have forfeited the final match,” with the result recorded as a 3-0 victory for Morocco.
The decision followed an appeal by the Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), which CAF said was admissible and upheld.
CAF said Senegal’s conduct violated Article 82 of the tournament regulations, which states that a team that refuses to play or leaves the field without the referee’s authorization is considered to have lost and is eliminated. Under Article 84, such a violation results in a 3-0 defeat.
The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) rejected the ruling, describing it as “unfair, unprecedented, and unacceptable,” and said it discredits African football.
The federation said it would appeal the decision before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne “as soon as possible” to defend its rights and the interests of Senegalese football.
The FSF also reaffirmed its “unwavering commitment to the values of integrity and sporting justice” and said it would keep the public informed of further developments.
In a statement, the FRMF said its appeal was not intended to challenge the sporting performance of either team but to ensure the application of competition rules. It added that it remains committed to respecting regulations and maintaining stability within African competitions.
North African football journalist Maher Mezahi said the ruling would not erase what fans witnessed on the pitch.
“We cannot erase the final 16 minutes of that match and what we saw,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live. “We cannot erase the feelings of seeing Senegal lift the trophy and the players going home with the medal.”