In an unprecedented move, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has stripped Senegal of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title and awarded it to Morocco, the defeated finalists. This decision follows a review of the January 18 final, where Senegalese players left the field in protest against refereeing decisions, causing a 14-minute delay. Morocco missed a subsequent penalty, and Senegal won 1-0 in extra time, but CAF's appeals board ruled the walk-off constituted a forfeit.
The CAF appeals board declared Senegal to have "forfeited" the match by leaving the ground, officially recording the result as a 3-0 victory for Morocco. The ruling cites Article 82 of the tournament regulations, which states that a team leaving the field without authorization is considered a loser. This overrides the on-field result and the referee's authority, sparking controversy over the interpretation of the rules.
The Senegal Football Federation (FSF) has condemned the decision as "unfair, unprecedented, and unacceptable," vowing to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne. FSF Secretary-General Abdoulaye Seydou Sow called the verdict a "shame for Africa" and alleged the panel was "carrying out an order" rather than applying the law. An appeal to CAS could take up to a year to resolve, potentially prolonging the dispute beyond the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The incident has escalated beyond sports, with Senegal's Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko criticizing Moroccan authorities for sentencing 18 Senegalese fans to prison terms after a pitch invasion during the walk-off. CAF had previously imposed fines exceeding $1 million and bans on coaches and players from both teams, though these sanctions do not affect World Cup participation. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation was fined $200,000 for ball boy misconduct.
Morocco secures its first African title since 1976, while Senegal loses its second title after winning in 2021. Moroccan coach Walid Regragui, who resigned two weeks ago amid criticism for not winning AFCON, described the events as giving African football a "shameful" image. Senegalese coach Papa Thiaw defended his team's actions on social media, citing protection from injustice. The focus now shifts to Senegal's legal challenge and its implications for African football governance.
Source: www.aljazeera.com