Morocco Crowned AFCON Champions After Senegal Stripped of Title

Morocco has been declared the winner of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) overturned Senegal’s initial 1-0 victory in a stunning reversal two months after the tournament concluded. The decision stems from Senegal’s protest during the January 18 final in Rabat, where they walked off the field in stoppage time after a controversial penalty was awarded to Morocco.

The Chaotic Final and Initial Fallout

The AFCON final was marred by controversy when Morocco was awarded a penalty late in the game. Senegal’s players, led by coach Pape Thiaw, immediately protested the decision and left the field for approximately 15 minutes, prompting an attempted pitch invasion by frustrated Senegalese fans. Moroccan forward Brahim Díaz subsequently had his penalty saved by Édouard Mendy, and Senegal eventually scored the winning goal in extra time.

Following an initial disciplinary hearing, CAF imposed fines exceeding $1 million and bans on players and officials from both Senegal and Morocco, but the original result stood. FIFA President Gianni Infantino condemned the actions of “some Senegal players,” calling the walk-off “unacceptable” and stating that “violence cannot be tolerated in our sport.”

CAF Appeal Board’s Decision

While the initial protest was rejected, CAF’s appeal board ultimately ruled in favor of Morocco, citing violations of Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON regulations. These articles stipulate that if a team refuses to play or leaves the field before the end of regulation time without the referee’s authorization, they are considered to have forfeited the match and will be eliminated from the competition with a 3-0 scoreline applied in favor of their opponent.

Senegal’s 1-0 win has been annulled, and Morocco has been awarded a 3-0 victory, marking their first African championship in 50 years.

Senegal’s Response and Future Action

Senegal has announced its intention to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland. Defender Moussa Niakhaté expressed his disbelief on social media, posting a photo of himself with the trophy and stating, “They are crazy.”

Broader Context and Recent Events

The controversial ruling casts a shadow over what was otherwise considered a successful tournament for Morocco, which is also a co-host of the 2030 World Cup. The country has recently faced protests related to World Cup preparations, with demonstrators arguing that funds should be allocated to improving Morocco’s healthcare system instead of stadium construction. The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), scheduled to be held in Morocco, was postponed until July due to “unforeseen circumstances,” according to CAF’s head of communications, Luxolo September.

Source: ESPN, BBC Sport, The Independent, NBC Sports