The ruling comes after an appeal lodged by the Moroccan federation, challenging an earlier decision by CAF’s Disciplinary Board.
In a dramatic conclusion to one of the most controversial finals in African football history, the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has officially declared Morocco winners of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, nearly three months after the final whistle was blown.
The decision follows a ruling by the CAF Appeal Board, which found that the Senegal national team committed regulatory violations during the final match against Morocco. As a result, Senegal has been deemed to have forfeited the match, with the scoreline officially recorded as 3–0 in favour of Morocco’s football governing body, the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).
Appeal Overturns Initial Decision
The ruling comes after an appeal lodged by the Moroccan federation, challenging an earlier decision by CAF’s Disciplinary Board. The Appeal Board not only admitted the appeal but upheld it in full, setting aside the initial ruling and determining that Senegal’s conduct fell under Articles 82 and 84 of AFCON regulations.
These provisions relate to misconduct and the forfeiture of matches, marking a severe sanction that ultimately altered the outcome of the tournament.
Sanctions and Additional Findings
While Morocco emerges as the official winner, the Appeal Board also addressed multiple incidents involving the Moroccan side during the final.
Moroccan player Ismaël Saibari was found guilty of misconduct but received a reduced punishment. His initial fine of USD 100,000 was lifted, and his suspension was revised to two CAF matches, with one match suspended.
CAF also held the Moroccan federation accountable for crowd-related and organizational issues, including:
- Misconduct involving ball boys, resulting in a reduced fine of USD 50,000
- Use of lasers during the match, with a fine reduced to USD 10,000
- Interference around the VAR review area, for which a USD 100,000 fine was upheld
Senegal Found in Breach
The Appeal Board concluded that the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), through the actions of its team, violated tournament regulations. This breach led directly to the forfeiture decision, one of the most severe penalties in continental football.
Reactions Expected Across the Continent
The ruling is expected to spark widespread debate among fans, analysts, and football authorities across Africa. Decisions to overturn match results—especially in a major final—are rare and often contentious.
For Morocco, the judgment confirms their status as champions of AFCON 2025. For Senegal, it marks a bitter and unprecedented reversal of fortune.
CAF has stated that all other appeals and requests for relief in the case have been dismissed, bringing formal closure to the matter—though discussions around fairness and sporting integrity are likely to continue.
