CAF awards 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title to Morocco after Senegal forfeiture ruling
Edited By: Africa Eye
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially declared the national team of Senegal to have forfeited the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, awarding the title to Morocco with a 3–0 result by default.
The decision was announced Tuesday after the CAF Appeals Committee reviewed the case and applied Article 84 of the competition’s regulations. The ruling came following an appeal filed by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).
The controversy dates back to the final played in January in Rabat. During the closing minutes of regulation time, the referee awarded Morocco a penalty after reviewing the incident using the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
Senegalese players briefly left the pitch in protest before returning to resume the match. Moroccan forward Brahim Díaz missed the penalty, and the game proceeded to extra time, where Senegal scored the decisive goal to win 1–0, securing what initially appeared to be its second title in three editions of the tournament.
Following the appeal, however, CAF ruled that Senegal’s actions fell under the provisions of Articles 82 and 84 of the regulations, leading to the team being declared to have forfeited the match.
The Appeals Committee also reviewed several disciplinary decisions issued after the final.
The suspension imposed on Moroccan midfielder Ismael Saibari was reduced to two matches, with one match suspended, replacing the previous three-match ban. The $100,000 fine previously imposed on the player was also cancelled.
The incident occurred when Saibari attempted to remove a towel placed by Senegalese goalkeeper Édouard Mendy near the goal area during heavy rain.
CAF had earlier imposed sanctions following the chaotic end to the final. These included a five-match suspension and a $100,000 fine for Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw after he instructed his players to leave the field.
The Fédération Sénégalaise de Football was also fined $615,000 for misconduct by the team and supporters. Senegalese players Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaïla Sarr received two-match suspensions for unsporting behavior toward the referee.
In response to the decision, the Moroccan federation stated that its appeal was not intended to challenge the sporting performance of teams, but rather to ensure the application of the tournament’s regulations.
Senegal still has the option to challenge the ruling before the Court of Arbitration for Sport within ten days.
