Senegal stripped of AFCON title as Morocco declared 2025 winners due to player walk-off | OneFootball

Result of the hugely controversial final has been overturned

Senegal have been stripped of their Africa Cup of Nations title, with Morocco declared the winners of the most recent tournament.

Senegal beat Morocco 1-0 in January to win the tournament, but it was a hugely controversial win against the tournament hosts.

The players remained in their dressing room for several minutes until being persuaded to see out the game, led by Senegal star Sadio Mane.

Brahim Diaz penalty saves by Edouard Mendy

AFP via Getty Images

After a long wait to take the penalty, Brahim Diaz stepped up and attempted a Panenka, which Edouard Mendy saved with ease in the Senegal goal to force extra time.

Pape Gueye went on to score the winner for Senegal in front of a crowd made up mostly of Moroccan fans.

Morocco appealed the result after the game and, almost two months later, they have been declared winners by the Confederation of African Football.

CAF have ruled that Senegal “forfeited” the game by walking off the pitch, and the final has now been awarded as a 3-0 win to Morocco.

A statement from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) reads: “The CAF Appeal Board decided that in application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Senegal National Team is declared to have forfeited the Final Match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 (“the Match”), with the result of the Match being recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).”

CAF also imposed fines of than $1million (£750,000) in fines and bans for Senegal and Morocco players and officials.

Senegal can appeal the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

A statement from the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) read: “[The Federation] has taken note of the decision issued by the CAF Appeals Committee.

“The Federation wishes to recall that its approach has never been intended to challenge the sporting performance of the teams participating in this competition, but solely to request the application of the competition’s regulations.

“The Federation reaffirms its commitment to respecting the rules, ensuring clarity in the competitive framework, and maintaining stability within African competitions.

“It also wishes to commend all the nations that took part in this edition of the AFCON, which has been a major moment for African football.

“The Federation will make an official statement tomorrow [Wednesday, March 17], after convening its governing bodies.”