AFCON 2025: Man United Legend Sends Message to Morocco Players After CAF Ruling Overturns Senegal Victory

Former England and Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney has sharply criticised the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for its decision to strip Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title and award it to Morocco.

The football legend also advised Paris Saint-Germain star Achraf Hakimi, Real Madrid star Brahim Diaz and other Moroccan stars on the best way to approach the matter.

He described the move as "crazy," insisting that Senegal had won the championship "fair and square" on the pitch.

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Reacting to the decision, Wayne Rooney expressed his disbelief that a result determined in a match could be overturned by officials months later.

"It’s crazy. If I were a Moroccan player, I wouldn’t accept it. Senegal beat them fair and square," Rooney commented, stressing that the team that earned the victory on the day should be the rightful champion.

He pointed out that the match had resumed after the protest, the disputed penalty was ultimately missed, and Senegal went on to score the winning goal in open play.

The dispute originated from the AFCON final on January 18, 2026, where Senegal secured a 1-0 victory over host nation Morocco in extra time.

However, on March 17, the CAF Appeal Board annulled the result, handing Morocco a 3-0 win by forfeit. The board's ruling was based on a brief 17-minute protest during which the Senegalese team left the field in response to a controversial late penalty decision, an act deemed a violation of tournament rules.

On his part, CAF president Patrice Motsepe noted that he remains committed to respecting decisions and rulings by independent committees.

“I’ve been informed of the ruling by the CAF Appeal Board concerning the appeal by Morocco relating to the Afcon-Morocco 2025 final match. I previously expressed my extreme disappointment with the incidents that took place at the final match,” Patrice Motsepe said.

“The CAF Disciplinary Board took one decision. The CAF appeals board took a totally different position. I’m told that Senegal is going to appeal, which is very important.

“Every one of the 54 nations in Africa has a right to pursue their appeals and their advanced interests, not only at the highest level in Africa, in CAF, but also in the highest body, which is the CAS. We will adhere to and respect the decision that’s taken at the highest level.”

Meanwhile, the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has condemned the ruling as "unfair, unprecedented, and unacceptable."

The federation has announced its intention to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), arguing that the original result must be upheld since the referee allowed the match to continue and be completed.