In a surprising and unprecedented decision, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially overturned the result of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final, awarding the title to Morocco national football team following a successful appeal.
The ruling sees Senegal national football team stripped of the title they initially secured on the pitch, with the final result now recorded as a 3–0 forfeiture in favour of Morocco.
The decision was confirmed after Morocco filed a formal complaint to CAF’s disciplinary committee, challenging the events that unfolded during the final. After reviewing the case, the committee ruled that Senegal’s actions constituted a breach of competition regulations, leading to the forfeiture.
At the center of the controversy was a dramatic moment during the final when Senegal players reportedly left the pitch in protest following a disputed decision. According to CAF’s regulations, any team that abandons a match without authorization is subject to disciplinary action, including automatic forfeiture.
CAF stated that violations of its competition rules in delivering the verdict, concluding that Senegal’s conduct warranted the nullification of the original result. As a result, Morocco have now been retrospectively crowned AFCON 2025 champions.
The ruling effectively erases Senegal’s 1–0 victory after extra time, replacing it with a 3–0 administrative win for Morocco. It marks one of the most controversial decisions in the history of the tournament and is expected to generate widespread debate across the football world.
While CAF has finalized its position, the situation may not yet be fully resolved. Senegal are expected to explore further legal options, including a possible appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, as they seek to challenge the decision and reclaim the title.