Senegal stripped of 2025 AFCON title with Morocco declared winners

Senegal beat Morocco 1-0 in the AFCON final in January (AP)

Senegal have been stripped of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title with Morocco awarded a 3-0 win in the final.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has ruled that Senegal forfeited January’s final because of their decision to walk off the pitch in protest of a penalty which was awarded to Morocco in the closing stages of normal time.

After a 16-minute delay, Senegal returned to the field but Morocco’s Brahim Diaz saw his Panenka penalty saved by Edouard Mendy, sending the final to extra time.

Pape Gueye then scored the winner for Senegal to secure their second AFCON title.

However, CAF has ruled that Senegal were in breach of Article 82, which states that if a team refuses to play or leaves the field before the end of match without the referee’s authorisation, it will be considered the loser and eliminated from the competition.

CAF then applies Article 84, meaning that any team that violates Articles 82 or 83 will be permanently eliminated and will lose the match 3-0.

Senegal’s players left the pitch after Morocco were given a late penalty (Getty)

A statement from CAF on Tuesday night read: ‘The CAF Appeal Board decided that in application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Senegal National Team is declared to have forfeited the Final Match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 (“the Match”), with the result of the Match being recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).

‘The Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”) Appeal Board decided today that in application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Senegal National Team is declared to have forfeited the Final Match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 (“the Match”), with the result of the Match being recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).

‘On the appeal by the FRMF regarding the application of Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the CAF Appeal Board made the following rulings:

“The appeal lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) is declared admissible in form and the appeal is upheld. The CAF Disciplinary Board decision is set aside. The CAF Appeal Board further finds that the conduct of the Senegal team falls within the scope of Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations. The protest lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) is upheld. It is declared that the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), through the conduct of its team, infringed Article 82 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations. In application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations, the Senegal team is declared to have forfeited the match, with the result recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF). All other motions or prayers for relief are dismissed.” Brahim Diaz missed the penalty as Senegal went on to win the game in extra time (AFP via Getty)

‘The CAF Appeal Board also ruled that:

‘All other motions or prayers for relief are dismissed.

‘The appeal lodged in respect of Mr Ismaël Saibari (Player No. 11 of the Morocco National Team) is partially upheld.

‘The CAF Appeal Board confirms the finding that Mr Ismaël Saibari (Player No. 11 of the Morocco National Team) committed misconduct in violation of Articles 82 and 83(1) of the CAF Disciplinary Code.

‘The sanction imposed on Mr Ismaël Saibari (Player No. 11 of the Morocco National Team) is amended to a suspension of two (2) official CAF matches, of which one (1) match is suspended.

‘The fine of USD 100,000 imposed on Mr Ismaël Saibari (Player No. 11 of the Morocco National Team) is set aside.

Senegal’s players have been punished for leaving the pitch in protest (AFP via Getty)

‘The appeal lodged in respect of the ball boys incident is partially upheld.

‘The CAF Appeal Board confirms the finding that the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) is responsible for the conduct of the ball boys during the aforementioned match.

‘The fine imposed on the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) in respect of the ball boys incident is reduced to USD 50,000.

‘The appeal lodged in respect of the interference around the OFR/VAR review area is dismissed.

‘The fine of USD 100,000 imposed on the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) in respect of the interference around the OFR/VAR review area is confirmed.

‘The appeal lodged in respect of the laser incident is partially upheld.

‘The fine imposed on the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) in respect of the laser incident is reduced to USD 10,000.’

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Comments Add as preferred source