Senegal President Reacts After CAF Changes AFCON 2025 Outcome in Favour of Morocco

The President of the Republic of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, has backed the decision to appeal the decision by the Confederation of African Football at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

In a shocking turn of events, CAF stripped Senegal of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title and awarded the championship to Morocco. The decision comes two months after a chaotic final in Rabat, Morocco, on January 18, 2026.

The controversy began late in the final when hosts Morocco were awarded a penalty kick. In response, the Senegalese players, with the backing of their head coach, walked off the pitch in protest.

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Although they eventually returned to the field and the subsequent penalty by Brahim Diaz was missed, the match was marred by the incident.

Senegal went on to secure a 1-0 victory in extra time and lifted the trophy. However, a furious Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) lodged an official appeal against the result, citing the Senegalese team's conduct.

CAF's Appeal Board has now ruled in favour of Morocco, declaring that Senegal "forfeited the final." The official result has been changed to a 3-0 victory for Morocco, making them African champions for the first time since 1976.

In a statement, the CAF Appeal Board announced its decision based on the regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations.

"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... with the result of the Match being recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF)."

The President of Senegal expressed deep disappointment and anger over the decision by the CAF Appeals Board to strip the national team of the AFCON 2025 title, describing the move as highly unjust and without precedent.

He urged the government, particularly the sports ministry, to act quickly and decisively alongside the Senegalese Football Federation to initiate a formal challenge at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, emphasising the need to defend the country’s sporting integrity and ensure that all available legal avenues are pursued.

“The President of the Republic states that Senegal notes with regret and indignation the decision of the CAF Appeals Board to strip the national football team of the 2025 African Championship title,” he shared in a press release.

“Faced with this unprecedented decision, he calls upon the Government, and in particular the Minister of Sports, to take all swift and appropriate steps, in conjunction with the Senegalese Football Federation, to file the necessary appeals with the Court of Arbitration for Sport.”