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Senegal has been stripped off its African Cup of Nations (AFCON) championship title by the CAF Appeal Board following their protest, walking off the field during the finals against Morocco, where Senegal eventually won 1-0.
Morocco has now been crowned the champions of AFCON 2025. According to CAF in a statement, 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 Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).
CAF said on the appeal by the FRMF regarding the application of Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the CAF Appeal Board made the following rulings:
– “The appeal lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) is declared admissible in form and the appeal is upheld.
– The CAF Disciplinary Board decision is set aside.
– The CAF Appeal Board further finds that the conduct of the Senegal team falls within the scope of Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations.
– The protest lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) is upheld.
– It is declared that the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), through the conduct of its team, infringed Article 82 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations.
– In application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations, the Senegal team is declared to have forfeited the match, with the result recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).
– All other motions or prayers for relief are dismissed.”
The Federation of Senegalese de Football (FSF) has made its intentions known to appeal the verdict by the CAF Appeals Board, they said they will refer the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for awarding the victory of the AFCON 2025 final to Morocco.
FSF said on the pitch, the Lions of Senegal had actually won 1-0 at the end of a hard-fought and intense match. However, after an initial protest was rejected by the CAF Disciplinary Jury, Morocco filed an appeal with the CAF Appeal Jury. Against all expectations, the Appeal Jury ultimately ruled in favor of Morocco, sparking a wave of indignation across Senegal.
“The Senegalese Football Federation denounced the move as an “unjust decision,” affirming its determination to “defend the rights of Senegalese football through all available legal channels.” The country’s sporting authorities believe that the principles of sporting fairness were not respected.
The appeal to CAS, the supreme jurisdiction for international sporting disputes, marks a new chapter in this saga, which could have significant repercussions on the governance of African football. Senegal hopes to obtain the annulment of the CAF Appeal Jury’s decision and official recognition of its victory.
In the meantime, the case continues to provoke strong reactions among supporters, observers, and stakeholders in continental football, highlighting tensions surrounding governing bodies and dispute resolution mechanisms,” said FSF.
