The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially withdrawn Senegal’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title and awarded it to Morocco following a ruling by its Appeals Board on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.
The decision reverses the outcome of the tournament’s final, which took place on January 18, 2026, in Rabat, where Senegal had originally claimed a 1–0 victory after extra time.
The match was marred by controversy in its closing stages when Senegalese players left the pitch in protest after a penalty was awarded to Morocco.
After reviewing the circumstances, CAF’s Appeals Board concluded that the walk-off violated competition regulations. According to the governing body’s rules, abandoning a match without official approval is considered a forfeiture.
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As a result, the initial scoreline has been nullified and replaced with a 3–0 victory in favour of Morocco, effectively handing them the AFCON title.
The ruling has sparked strong reactions in Senegal, where football authorities have criticised the decision as unfair. Officials have indicated their intention to challenge the verdict at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in hopes of overturning it.
Observers say the development could go down as one of the most contentious moments in African football, raising broader questions about officiating, disciplinary enforcement, and governance within CAF competitions.
