The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has awarded the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title to Morocco following a disputed final against Senegal in January, a decision that the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has vowed to challenge at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
The ruling concludes an appeal lodged by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) after the tournament’s concluding match in Rabat. CAF found Senegal guilty of breaching tournament regulations during the final, played at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on January 26. The contest was marked by a pivotal moment when Senegalese players briefly left the pitch in protest after a goal by Ismaila Sarr was disallowed. Subsequently, a VAR-awarded penalty for Morocco led to a saved Panenka attempt by Brahim Diaz, before Pape Gueye scored the decisive goal in extra time for a 1-0 Senegal victory.
In its decision announced on Tuesday, CAF imposed a 3-0 forfeit victory on Morocco as punishment for the regulatory infringements by Senegal. This effectively reverses the match result and awards the continental crown to the Atlas Lions, the tournament hosts.
The aftermath in Rabat has been one of qualified celebration. Fans expressed a complex mix of vindication and lingering disappointment, noting the decision arrived months after the final and coinciding with Eid al-Fitr. “We wish this happiness had come on the day of the match; it would have been much greater,” said supporter Rachid Ismaili. Fellow fan Imane Bensaid added that the news alleviated some of the hurt from the original loss, though it could not replace a victory secured on the day.
The FSF has confirmed it will appeal the CAF ruling to the CAS, the global body that settles sports disputes. This legal challenge prolongs the saga of the 2025 AFCON final and creates significant uncertainty over the official champion for the tournament.
The case highlights the intense pressures surrounding African football’s premier event and the potentially far-reaching consequences of disciplinary decisions. The CAS appeal will scrutinize CAF’s regulatory process and the specific infractions cited. For now, Morocco’s football federation celebrates a technical victory, while Senegal prepares to fight for its on-field triumph in a neutral court. The final verdict will determine the official record for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and set a precedent for similar future disputes within the continent’s governing body.
