The Confederation of African Football has officially granted Morocco the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title after its appeals committee determined that Senegal forfeited the final match. This ruling followed a successful complaint filed by Morocco’s football federation. The decision reverses an earlier disciplinary outcome, with the appeals panel concluding that Senegal violated the tournament’s rules.
The verdict was delivered in accordance with Article 84 of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations regulations, as the appeals panel nullified the earlier decision by the CAF Disciplinary Board and ruled in favor of Morocco’s protest.
The appeals panel also reviewed a number of connected disciplinary cases involving both sides. In the case of Moroccan player Ismaël Saibari, it upheld the misconduct ruling under Articles 82 and 83(1) of the CAF Disciplinary Code but reduced the punishment. The panel ruled that he would receive a two-match ban in official CAF competitions, with one of those matches suspended, and scrapped the previously imposed $100,000 fine. With regard to the ball boys’ conduct during the match, the board deemed the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football responsible and ruled that the fine for the incident be lowered to $50,000. In relation to the laser incident, the board ruled that the fine issued to the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football be cut to $10,000. However, the appeal concerning disruptions around the VAR review area was denied, with the panel maintaining the $100,000 penalty previously imposed on the FRMF for that offence.
As a result, Morocco, the tournament hosts, have been declared AFCON 2025 champions by the appeals board rather than by the outcome on the pitch, marking one of the most remarkable conclusions in Africa Cup of Nations history.
Senegal had initially been named winners of the 2025 tournament after beating Morocco 1–0 in the final in Rabat, with the match decided in extra time amid a tense and contentious contest.
The final was marred by multiple incidents, including protests from Senegal’s players and coaching staff over a late refereeing decision, as well as clashes involving players, officials, and match personnel in the closing moments of the game. After the match, the Confederation of African Football’s disciplinary board penalized both the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football and the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football for misconduct during the final, imposing fines and suspensions on players and officials from both sides. At first, CAF upheld the outcome of the match despite Morocco’s protest, maintaining the final score while addressing disciplinary measures separately.
Tuesday’s appeal, however, overturned that earlier ruling after Morocco challenged the disciplinary sanctions, resulting in Senegal’s forfeiture and the championship being awarded to the host nation.
