March 18 – Senegal have been stripped off their Africa Cup of Nations 2025 title and Morocco declared continental champions following an unprecedented CAF decision.
Fifty-seven days after the dramatic Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat where Senegal walked off to protest a controversial refereeing decision, but then returned to win the match with an extra-time strike from Papa Gueye, the appeal board at Africa’s governing body has overturned the result to crown host nation Morocco champions.
In a statement on Tuesday, CAF said that Senegal had been “declared to have forfeited the final match” with the “result of the match being recorded as 3-0 in favour” of Morocco.
Senegal’s FA has said it would appeal against CAF’s decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, calling it “an unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable decision which brings discredit to African football”.
CAF, in making its ruling, stated that “through the conduct of its team,” Senegal breached Article 82 of the Africa Cup of Nations regulations, which in turn triggered the application of Article 84. Article 82 specifies that any team refusing to play or leaving the pitch before the end of regulation time without the referee’s permission will be deemed to have lost the match and will be eliminated from the competition.
The Moroccan FA (FRMF) said that “its approach has never been intended to challenge the sporting performance of the teams participating in this competition, but solely to request the application of the competition’s regulations.”
“The Federation reaffirms its commitment to respecting the rules, ensuring clarity in the competitive framework, and maintaining stability within African competitions.”
CAF’s statement marked the conclusion of a two-month investigation into the chaotic scenes that marred the closing moments of January’s final.
The match unraveled when hosts Morocco were awarded a penalty at the end of the goalless game. In response, Senegal’s players left the pitch in protest. Senegal’s talisman Saido Mane stayed on the field and urged his team to return from the dressing room.
The final was delayed for 15 minutes as disturbances erupted in the stands. Brahim Diaz missed the ensuing penalty and Gueye’s strike ultimately won Senegal the title, but the damage had been done with reputations in tatters and the tournament overshadowed by the scenes in Rabat.
CAF were quick to suspend Senegal manager Pape Thiaw for five matches and slapped the teams, federations and players involved with more than one million dollars in fines.
The new decision however raises good governance questions at CAF and spotlights the influence of the Moroccan federation in the African game, headed by powerful but controversial official Fouzi Lekjaa.
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