Morocco Awarded 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Title After Senegal Forfeit
Morocco has been declared the winner of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) ruled that Senegal forfeited the final match. The unprecedented decision stems from a protest filed by the Moroccan football federation (FRMF) regarding the events that unfolded during the championship game, marking a significant turn in the continent’s premier soccer tournament.
The controversy began during the final, held at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, when Senegal’s coach, Pape Thiaw, ordered his team off the field in protest of refereeing decisions, including a penalty awarded to Morocco’s Brahim Diaz in the 83rd minute. Play was suspended for 14 minutes, and further escalated when Senegal supporters entered the field, clashing with Moroccan fans and police. Although the match resumed, Diaz missed the penalty, and Senegal ultimately scored the only goal of regulation play in extra time.
However, CAF’s Appeal Board determined that Senegal’s actions violated Article 82 of its regulations, which states that a team that withdraws from a competition or leaves the field without authorization will be considered a loser and eliminated. According to a statement released by CAF, the appeal board upheld the FRMF’s protest and found that Senegal’s conduct fell within the scope of Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON regulations.
Article 84 stipulates that any team breaching Article 82 will be recorded as having lost 3-0. The match result has been officially recorded as 3-0 in favor of Morocco. Reuters reports that Senegal plans to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The CAF Appeal Board’s decision effectively overturns Senegal’s initial victory, a result celebrated just two months prior. CBS Sports notes that What we have is an unprecedented outcome in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations. The case highlights the strict enforcement of CAF’s regulations regarding team conduct and the potential consequences of abandoning a match.
