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Africa Cup of Nations final decision reversed
The Confederation of African Football (Caf) has declared Morocco the winners of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) final after overturning Senegal's 1-0 victory. The match, held on 18 January in Rabat, will now be recorded as a 3-0 forfeit in Morocco's favor following Senegal's protest walk-off.
What triggered the controversy?
With the score tied 0-0 in the eighth minute of stoppage time, referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a penalty after a challenge by Senegal's El Hadji Malick Diouf on Brahim Diaz. Earlier, Ndala had disallowed a Senegal goal, fueling tensions.
Senegal's head coach, Pape Thiaw, instructed his team to leave the field in protest. Only Sadio Mane remained before eventually persuading his teammates to return. Morocco's Diaz then missed the penalty, saved by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. Senegal later scored in extra time to secure the original 1-0 win.
During the match, clashes erupted between Moroccan ball boys and Senegal's reserve goalkeeper, Yehvann Diouf, over Mendy's towel. Videos showed Diouf being tackled by three ball boys as he tried to retrieve the towel.
Caf's ruling and Senegal's response
On 17 March, Caf's appeal board announced Senegal's forfeiture after a Moroccan Football Federation appeal. The board, composed of nine members from various African nations, cited violations of Articles 82 and 84 of the competition regulations. Article 82 states that a team leaving the field without the referee's permission is eliminated, while Article 84 imposes removal from the competition for such breaches.
The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) called the decision a "travesty" and plans to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) in Switzerland. Abdoulaye Seydou Sow, FSF secretary general, said the appeal aims to "defend its rights and the interests of Senegalese football."
"This unfair, unprecedented, and unacceptable decision casts a shadow over African football."
Senegalese Football Federation
What happens next?
Former Caf disciplinary panel head Raymond Hack told the BBC the Cas process could take six months, potentially overlapping with the 2026 World Cup. Key unresolved issues include:
- Whether Morocco will hold a trophy ceremony.
- The fate of Senegal's winner's medals and $10 million prize money, with players already posting medal photos online.
- Betting payouts: Paddy Power, SkyBet, and Betfair have honored Morocco bets, but other providers' policies remain unclear.
Hack questioned the practicality of reclaiming medals or prize money before Cas rules, stating, "Nobody's going to do that until the Court of Arbitration makes a final ruling."
Additional rulings and reactions
Caf's statement also addressed other appeals from the final:
- Morocco's appeal against Ismael Saibari's suspension was upheld, reducing his ban to two matches.
- A fine against Moroccan ball boys was partially upheld and reduced.
- Morocco's appeal against a fine for VAR area interference was dismissed.
- A laser pen incident fine was partially upheld, with a reduced penalty.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) stated its appeal aimed to enforce competition rules, not undermine opponents. An updated statement is expected on Wednesday.
The Senegalese government demanded an "independent international investigation" into suspected corruption at Caf. BBC Sport has sought comment from Caf but received no response.
