‎Morocco have been declared the winners of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after the Confederation of African Football (Caf) overturned the result of the final, following Senegal’s controversial walk-off.
‎Senegal beat Morocco 1-0 in the final on the 18th of January in a match which was overshadowed when the Senegalese players refused to play after the hosts were awarded a stoppage-time penalty, with the match goalless.
‎Following a delay of around 17 minutes, the players did eventually return and Brahim Diaz’s penalty was saved before Senegal’s Pape Gueye scored an extra-time winner.
‎However, that result has now been overturned after a decision by an appeal board at African football’s governing body.
‎A statement from CAF said Senegal was declared to have forfeited the final match with the result of the match being recorded as 3-0 in favour of Morocco.
‎The decision followed an appeal by Moroccan FA (FRMF) which CAF said was declared admissible in form and was upheld.
‎CAF added that through the conduct of its team, Senegal infringed on Article 82 of regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations and as a result Article 84 became applicable.
‎Article 82 states that if a team refuses to play or leaves the ground before the end of regulation time without the referee’s authorisation, it will be considered the loser and eliminated from the competition.
‎Article 84 complements this provision, stating that any team that violates Articles 82 will be permanently eliminated and will lose the match 3-0.
‎The Senegalese Football Federation said it would appeal CAF’s decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, calling it unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable.
Edited by Favour Owonibi.