CAF overturns Senegal’s CAN 2025 win, awards title to Morocco

Controversial ruling shakes African football

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has overturned Senegal’s victory in the CAN 2025 final, awarding the title to Morocco on appeal. The decision, announced on March 17, strips the Senegalese national team of their hard-fought 1-0 extra-time win over Morocco on January 18.

Key findings of the CAF Appeal Board

• Forfeiture declared: The Appeal Board ruled that Senegal’s departure from the pitch during the final violated competition rules, leading to a 3-0 technical victory for Morocco.
• Rule enforcement: The decision cites Articles 82 and 84 of the CAN Regulations, which mandate that teams abandoning the field without referee approval are automatically disqualified and lose matches 3-0.
• Timeline: Morocco filed a protest shortly after the chaotic final, where Senegalese players left the pitch in protest of a last-minute penalty call, sparking pitch invasions and delays.

What’s next for Senegal?

The Senegalese Football Federation has a 10-day window to appeal the ruling to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The decision has sparked outrage among players, with midfielder Pape Demba Diop calling the situation “unbelievable” on social media.

Morocco’s stance

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation welcomed the ruling, emphasizing that their appeal was based solely on the application of competition regulations, not a challenge to sporting merit. The federation stated they “take note of the decision” and respect the CAF’s authority in enforcing its rules.

Reactions from the field

Senegalese players have expressed disbelief over the ruling, with defender Moussa Niakhaté posting videos of the team celebrating with the trophy, captioned “This isn’t AI—it’s real.” The controversy has dominated discussions in West African football and beyond, marking a historic and unprecedented turn in continental competitions.