The Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF) has announced that Morocco have been awarded the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title following a decision by the CAF Appeal Board. Senegal won the match 1-0 after extra-time following Pape Gueye’s winner but it came in controversial circumstances after Senegal walked off the pitch in protest when Morocco were awarded a penalty in regular time.
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Morocco have been named champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after a major verdict on Tuesday stated Senegal’s 1-0 victory in the final had been forfeited.
Senegal had won the match with Pape Gueye netting the winner in extra-time, but the victory came in controversial circumstances after Senegal had walked off the pitch in protest during the original 90 minutes.
They were aggrieved by two decisions, the first of which was seeing Ismaila Sarr’s goal chalked off, before Morocco were awarded a penalty at the death after a VAR intervention.
Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw appeared to urge his side to leave the field, before they went down the tunnel and re-emerged around 15 minutes later, before Brahim Diaz missed the penalty to force extra-time.
On Tuesday, the Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF) announced that as a result, Senegal forfeited the game, rendering Morocco champions.
The CAF statement said Morocco’s football federation lodged an appeal following the match and the CAF appeal board has now ruled a 3-0 defeat for Senegal.
Tuesday’s verdict means hosts Morocco clinched their second AFCON title, and their first since 1976.
CAF also said the $100,000 (£75,000) fine issued to Morocco’s Ismael Saibari for alleged unsporting behaviour has been set aside and that his suspension has been reduced from three CAF matches to two.
The statement also addressed the conduct of ball boys during the match, who attempted to swipe the towels belonging to Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
CAF said Morocco are responsible for their ball boys, but the fine issued on the federation had been reduced to $50,000, while their $100,000 fine for misconduct in crowding the VAR review area has been upheld.
The verdict means Senegal have been stripped of just their second AFCON title, having previously won the tournament in 2021.
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