How Morocco were awarded the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after Senegal walk-off and appeal | OneFootball

CAF announced on Tuesday that Morocco have been awarded the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after incidents in the final against Senegal, a decision delivered two months after the tournament ended following a review of events in Rabat.

Senegal had originally lifted the trophy on 18 January, winning 1-0 after extra time in a dramatic finale.

In stoppage time, Ismaïla Sarr thought he had scored on 90+1, but the effort was ruled out because the referee, Ndala Ngambo, had already blown for a slight foul by Abdoulaye Seck on Achraf Hakimi. Minutes later, on 90+6, Morocco were awarded a penalty for El-Hadji Malick Diouf’s contact on Brahim Diaz, a decision upheld by VAR. Angered, several Senegal players left the pitch, some heading to the dressing room, encouraged by head coach Pape Thiaw, before returning after a lengthy stoppage.

On resumption, Diaz missed his panenka and Pape Gueye later struck in extra time.

The following day, Morocco’s federation moved to challenge the result on the grounds that Senegal’s temporary walk-off disrupted the match and affected players’ performance. In late January, CAF’s disciplinary committee issued fines and suspensions for both teams over the penalty flashpoint and other incidents such as the theft of Édouard Mendy’s towel, yet the result stood.

Morocco appealed again in early February, calling the measures disproportionate. About six weeks later, CAF’s appeals jury upheld Morocco’s case under tournament regulations, citing articles 82 and 84, including a provision that any team leaving the field before full time without the referee’s permission is deemed to have lost and is eliminated.

Source: L'Équipe