By Ben Efe 18.3.2026
The Confederation of African Football Tuesday stripped Senegal of the 2025 African Cup of Nations and handed the title to hosts Morocco.
This is the first time in the history of the tournament the winner of the AFCON is decided in the boardroom and it is the climax of the 2025 AFCON marred by controversial officiating which seems to favour the hosts.
It was one of those seemingly biased whistling that made the Senegal team lose their cool and temporarily walked out of the pitch in final game in Rabat.
They later came back after 15 minutes to continue the match, which they won with a lone goal in extra time.
CAF in a statement on Tuesday said Senegal by staging a walk out of the contest on January 18 in protest fulfeited the match and Morocco are winners with a 3-0 score line.
The decision was made by the CAF Appeal board which ruled that Senegal violated Article 84 of the AFCON.
This was based on the appeal filed by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation 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:
“1.The appeal lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) is declared admissible in form and the appeal is upheld.
2. The CAF Disciplinary Board decision is set aside.
3. 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.
4. The protest lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) is upheld.
5. 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.
6. 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).
6. All other motions or prayers for relief are dismissed.”
The CAF Appeal Board also ruled that:
1.“The appeal lodged in respect of Mr Ismaël Saibari (Player No. 11 of the Morocco National Team) is partially upheld.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. The fine of USD 100,000 imposed on Mr Ismaël Saibari (Player No. 11 of the Morocco National Team) is set aside.
5. The appeal lodged in respect of the ball boys incident is partially upheld.
6. 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.
7. The fine imposed on the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) in respect of the ball boys incident is reduced to USD 50,000.
8. The appeal lodged in respect of the interference around the OFR/VAR review area is dismissed.
9. 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.
10. The appeal lodged in respect of the laser incident is partially upheld.
11.The fine imposed on the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) in respect of the laser incident is reduced to USD 10,000.
All other motions or prayers for relief are dismissed.”