The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially awarded the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title to Morocco after its Appeal Board ruled that Senegal forfeited the final match following a successful protest by the Moroccan Football Federation.
The decision, announced on Tuesday, overturns an earlier ruling by CAF’s Disciplinary Board, which had initially upheld Senegal’s 1–0 victory over Morocco in the final played in Rabat.
According to the Appeal Board, Senegal breached competition regulations, leading to the forfeiture of the match. In its statement, the board declared, “The Senegal National Team is declared to have forfeited the Final Match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025, with the result of the match being recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football.”
The ruling was made under Article 84 of the AFCON regulations. The board also confirmed that Senegal violated Article 82, citing misconduct by the team during the final. It further stated that Morocco’s appeal was valid and upheld in full.
In addition to the forfeiture decision, the Appeal Board addressed several disciplinary issues involving both teams. Moroccan player Ismaël Saibari was found guilty of misconduct under Articles 82 and 83(1) of the CAF Disciplinary Code. However, his punishment was reduced to a two-match suspension, with one match suspended, and his previously imposed $100,000 fine was cancelled.
The board also reviewed incidents involving ball boys and a laser disturbance during the match. Morocco’s federation was held responsible for both, with fines reduced to $50,000 and $10,000 respectively. However, a separate appeal concerning interference around the VAR review area was dismissed, and a $100,000 fine against Morocco was upheld.
The AFCON 2025 final had been marred by controversy, including protests from Senegal’s players and officials over a late refereeing decision, as well as confrontations involving match personnel in the closing stages.
Senegal had originally been declared champions after their extra-time victory, but Morocco lodged a formal protest shortly after the match. CAF initially maintained the result while issuing disciplinary sanctions to both sides.
Tuesday’s appeal ruling dramatically changes that outcome, awarding Morocco the title not on the pitch, but through legal adjudication—marking one of the most extraordinary conclusions in AFCON history.
