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Morocco Awarded 2025 AFCON Title After Senegal Forfeits Final Over Walk-Off

The Confederation of African Football has overturned the result of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, stripping Senegal of the title and awarding it to Morocco. CAF's appeals board ruled that Senegal forfeited the match by walking off the pitch in protest of a late penalty decision, triggering tournament regulations. The original 1-0 Senegal victory in extra time has been officially recorded as a 3-0 win for Morocco. The ruling also included adjustments to sanctions for Moroccan player Ismaël Saibari and fines for the Moroccan football federation related to other match incidents.

Key Points: Morocco Wins AFCON 2025 as CAF Overturns Final Result

  • Senegal's title stripped
  • Final result overturned to 3-0 for Morocco
  • Walk-off triggered forfeit rules
  • Moroccan player suspension reduced
  • Fines imposed on Moroccan federation
3 min read

Senegal stripped off title, Morocco declared 2025 AFCON champions as CAF overturns final result

CAF strips Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title, awarding it to Morocco after ruling Senegal forfeited the final by walking off the pitch.

"The Senegal National Team is declared to have forfeited the Final Match... with the result of the Match being recorded as 3-0 in favour of Morocco. - CAF Appeal Board"

Rabat, March 18

Morocco have been awarded the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title after the Confederation of African Football overturned the result of the final following Senegal's walk-off.

Senegal had beaten Morocco 1-0 in the January 18 final, but the match was marred by controversy when Senegal's players refused to continue after Morocco was awarded a stoppage-time penalty with the score level.

Play resumed after a 17-minute delay. Brahim Diaz's penalty was saved before Pape Gueye scored the winner for Senegal in extra time.

CAF said an appeals board had since ruled that Senegal forfeited the match. The result was recorded as a 3-0 victory for Morocco.

In a statement, CAF said Senegal breached Article 82 of the Africa Cup of Nations regulations, triggering the application of Article 84.

"The CAF Appeal Board decided that in application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Senegal National Team is declared to have forfeited the Final Match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 ("the Match"), with the result of the Match being recorded as 3-0 in favour of the Federation Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF)

Article 82 states that a team that refuses to play or leaves the field without the referee's authorization is considered to have lost and is eliminated from the competition. Article 84 adds that such a violation results in a 3-0 defeat and permanent elimination.

The CAF Appeal Board also ruled that, "The appeal lodged in respect of Mr Ismaël Saibari (Player No. 11 of the Morocco National Team) is partially upheld. The CAF Appeal Board confirms the finding that Mr Ismael Saibari (Player No. 11 of the Morocco National Team) committed misconduct in violation of Articles 82 and 83(1) of the CAF Disciplinary Code."

It said that"The sanction imposed on Ismael Saibari is amended to a suspension of two (2) official CAF matches, of which one (1) match is suspended. The fine of USD 100,000 imposed on him is set aside.

"The CAF Appeal Board confirms the finding that the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) is responsible for the conduct of the ball boys during the aforementioned match," it added

The ruling board further said, "The fine imposed on the Federation Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) in respect of the ball boys incident is reduced to USD 50,000.

"The appeal lodged in respect of the interference around the OFR/VAR review area is dismissed.

"The fine of USD 100,000 imposed on the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) in respect of the interference around the OFR/VAR review area is confirmed.

"The appeal lodged in respect of the laser incident is partially upheld.

"The fine imposed on the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) in respect of the laser incident is reduced to USD 10,000."

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
What a mess! The final is supposed to be the pinnacle. To have it decided in a boardroom weeks later is terrible for African football's image. The players and fans of both nations deserve better.
R
Rohit P
From an Indian sports fan perspective, this is crazy. Imagine if our cricket team walked off in a World Cup final! You play to the whistle, no matter how controversial the decision. Senegal only has themselves to blame.
S
Sarah B
The article mentions Morocco was fined for ball boys and laser incidents. So both teams had disciplinary issues. Awarding the title like this feels like a punishment, not a celebration of a champion. Very unfortunate for the tournament.
V
Vikram M
Respectfully, I think CAF got this wrong. The match was completed! Senegal came back and won in extra time. Overturning a result weeks later based on a walk-off that lasted 17 minutes sets a dangerous precedent. The trophy should be decided on the pitch.
K
Kavya N
The real losers are the fans. They watched an epic final with drama and a late winner, only to be told it didn't count. Football is about passion, but also sportsmanship. This whole saga lacks both. 😞

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