CAF Overturns AFCON 2025 Final Result, Awards Morocco Shock Victory Over Senegal

Posted : 18 March 2026

In a stunning and unprecedented development in African football, the Appeals Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has ruled that Senegal forfeited the 2025 African Championship final. The decision awards Morocco a 3-0 victory, effectively crowning the hosts as champions nearly two months after they initially lost 1-0 in the final.

The ruling came after Morocco’s football authorities filed an appeal challenging the earlier outcome. CAF’s Appeals Committee overturned the Disciplinary Committee’s original decision, which had upheld Senegal’s extra-time victory despite the controversy that marred the match.

The new verdict is based on Senegal’s decision to leave the pitch during regulation time without the referee’s approval.

The final itself was filled with tension and drama. Play was halted for 16 minutes after Morocco was awarded a late and contentious penalty, shortly after Senegal had a potentially decisive goal disallowed. The situation escalated as Senegalese players protested the referee’s decision, with most of the team leaving the field.

Fans also attempted to invade the pitch in Rabat, adding to the chaos. Although Morocco missed the penalty and Senegal later scored the winning goal in extra time, the Appeals Committee has now nullified that result.

According to CAF regulations, specifically Article 82, any team that abandons a match without official permission automatically forfeits the game. Article 84 further states that such a loss is recorded as a 3-0 defeat unless the opposing team has already secured a larger margin of victory. Based on these rules, CAF determined that Senegal’s actions warranted a technical loss.

Initially, both teams were penalized by the Disciplinary Committee, which imposed fines exceeding $1 million and issued suspensions to players and staff. However, the match result remained unchanged at that time.

The Appeals Committee’s intervention has now dramatically altered the outcome, though Senegal still has the option to challenge the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Reactions to the incident have been strong. Morocco’s former coach Walid Regragui described the scenes during the match as damaging to the image of African football, criticizing the decision to leave the pitch.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino also condemned the act, emphasizing the importance of respecting referees’ decisions and adhering to the rules of the game to preserve football’s integrity.

CAF Overturns AFCON 2025 Final Result, Awards Morocco Shock Victory Over Senegal

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