In a stunning and unprecedented development in African football, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially stripped Senegal of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title following a landmark ruling by the CAF Appeal Board. Morocco has now been declared the champions, awarded a 3-0 walkover victory in the final that originally took place in Rabat.
The controversy traces back to the dramatic final match on January 18, 2026, where Senegal ultimately defeated hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time, thanks to a goal from Pape Gueye. However, the game descended into chaos in the dying moments of normal time when VAR awarded Morocco a contentious penalty in stoppage time.
This decision—coming shortly after a Senegal goal was disallowed—sparked furious protests from the Senegalese players and staff. In an extraordinary act of dissent, Senegal’s players walked off the pitch in protest over what they viewed as unfair refereeing, leading to a prolonged delay before they eventually returned.
Morocco’s Brahim Díaz then saw his attempted Panenka penalty comfortably saved by Edouard Mendy, pushing the contest into extra time where Senegal secured the win amid heightened tensions both on and off the field.
Although Senegal lifted the trophy that night and celebrated what appeared to be their second AFCON crown in recent years, Morocco lodged an appeal citing the walk-off as a serious breach of competition rules—specifically Article 84, which addresses a team’s refusal to play or abandonment of the field, potentially resulting in forfeiture and elimination.
After initial disciplinary measures that included hefty fines totaling over $1 million and player bans for individuals from both sides, the appeal process reached its conclusion on March 17, 2026. The CAF Appeal Board upheld Morocco’s case, ruling that Senegal had forfeited the match through their actions.
This decision effectively reverses the on-field result, handing Morocco the title via the administrative 3-0 walkover and marking one of the most dramatic post-tournament interventions in AFCON history.
Senegal’s triumph, once hailed as a gritty achievement against the odds on hostile territory, has been overwritten in the record books, leaving fans, players, and officials across the continent divided over questions of sportsmanship, refereeing integrity, and the boundaries of protest in high-stakes competition.