Senegal Respond to CAF Decision Awarding Morocco 2025 AFCON Title

The controversy surrounding the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final has escalated, with Senegal announcing its intention to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after Morocco were declared champions by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

The CAF Appeal Board awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory, ruling that Senegal had forfeited the final when their players temporarily left the field in protest during the match.

In its decision, CAF stated: "It is declared that the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), through the conduct of its team, infringed Article 82… In application of Article 84… 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)."

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In a firm response from Dakar, the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) confirmed it had received the ruling, which was delivered on March 17, 2026.

The federation noted that the Appeal Board had first annulled a prior disciplinary decision due to procedural issues, stating, "The instance annulled the decision rendered by the CAF Disciplinary Jury, on the grounds that the right to be heard of the appealing party had not been respected."

However, the FSF vehemently rejected the final outcome of the appeal. "The Federation denounces an unjust, unprecedented and unacceptable decision which discredits African football," the statement read.

The FSF confirmed it would immediately take the case to the highest authority in sports law. "For the defence of its rights and the interests of Senegalese football, the Federation will initiate, without delay, an appeal procedure before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne."

The dispute originated during the AFCON final in January. The Senegalese team walked off the pitch after referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded a late penalty to Morocco following a VAR review.

The match was paused for approximately 16 minutes before captain Sadio Mané convinced his teammates to return.

Morocco's Brahim Díaz subsequently missed the penalty, and Senegal went on to secure a 1-0 victory in extra time, a result that has now been overturned by CAF.

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has insisted that its appeal was not about questioning the on-field result but about upholding the tournament's rules.

"The Federation wishes to recall that its approach has never been intended to challenge the sporting performance… but solely to request the application of the competition’s regulations," the FRMF stated.

Despite awarding them the title, CAF also imposed sanctions on Morocco. Midfielder Ismaël Saibari's suspension was reduced, and the federation was fined for incidents related to ball boys, the use of lasers, and disruptions near the VAR review area.

With the case now heading to CAS in Switzerland, a prolonged legal battle is expected to determine the ultimate winner of the 2025 AFCON. Senegal has affirmed its commitment to "integrity and sporting justice" and promised to update the public on the proceedings.

While Morocco currently holds the official title, the final chapter of one of African football's most contentious finals will likely be written in a courtroom rather than on the pitch.