AFCON final result overturned in major ruling as statement released

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) have stripped Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title, with the official result going down as a 3–0 win in favour of hosts Morocco.

Back in January, Senegal were crowned the Africa Cup of Nations champions after Pape Gueye's extra-time goal gave them a 1-0 win over Morocco, but the result was shrouded in controversy.

Morocco received a contentious penalty in second-half stoppage time after Brahim Diaz was adjudged to have been fouled by El Hadji Malick Diouf.

Incensed at the decision, Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw ordered his players to leave the pitch, with only Sadio Mane choosing to remain.

Eventually, after around 16 minutes, Mane was able to convince his teammates to return for Morocco's penalty, which was saved by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.

The walk-off protest by Senegal was badly received by footballing authorities. Shortly after the game, the CAF confirmed that an investigation was underway and Senegal would face punishment over their actions.

And on Tuesday evening (March 17), it was confirmed that Morocco have been crowned AFCON champions after the result was overturned.

CAF announce Morocco as 2025 Africa Cup of Nations champions in lengthy statement

A statement from CAF was released on Tuesday night to confirm the news.

It read: "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).

"The Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”) Appeal Board decided today 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)."

Senegal have been stripped of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title. Image credit: Getty

The statement continued: "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 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 Ismaël Saibari (Player No. 11 of the Morocco National Team) committed misconduct in violation of Articles 82 and 83(1) of the CAF."

Disciplinary Code.

- The sanction imposed on Mr Ismaël Saibari (Player No. 11 of the Morocco National Team) 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 Mr Ismaël Saibari (Player No. 11 of the Morocco National Team) is set aside.

- The appeal lodged in respect of the ball boys incident is partially upheld.

- 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.

- The fine imposed on the Fédération 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.

- All other motions or prayers for relief are dismissed.”