The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) Appeal Board has ruled that Senegal forfeited the final match of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025, awarding a 3–0 victory to Morocco.
In a decision released on appeal, CAF confirmed that the ruling was made in line with Article 84 of the AFCON regulations, overturning an earlier decision by its Disciplinary Board.
“The Senegal National Team is declared to have forfeited the Final Match… with the result of the match being recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football,” the Appeal Board stated.
The case followed an appeal lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF), challenging the handling of the match under Articles 82 and 84 of the competition regulations.
CAF said, “The appeal lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football is declared admissible in form, and the appeal is upheld… The CAF Disciplinary Board decision is set aside.”
The board further ruled that Senegal, through its conduct during the match, breached tournament rules. “It is declared that the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football, through the conduct of its team, infringed Article 82,” the statement read.
As a result, “in application of Article 84… the Senegal team is declared to have forfeited the match.”
The decision effectively hands Morocco the AFCON 2025 title in one of the most dramatic rulings in the tournament’s history.
Sanctions and Other Rulings
The Appeal Board also issued a series of additional rulings related to incidents surrounding the final.
Morocco international Ismaël Saibari was found guilty of misconduct. However, CAF reduced his punishment, stating that “the sanction… is amended to a suspension of two official CAF matches, of which one match is suspended,” and scrapped a previously imposed $100,000 fine.
CAF also addressed organisational issues involving Morocco. While the federation was held responsible for misconduct involving ball boys, the fine was reduced. “The fine… in respect of the ball boys incident is reduced to USD 50,000,” the board ruled.
At the same time, CAF upheld a separate $100,000 fine against Morocco related to interference around the VAR review area, stating, “the appeal… is dismissed.”
Another sanction tied to the use of laser pointers during the match was partially reduced, with the fine lowered to $10,000.
Wider Implications
The ruling concludes a contentious dispute over the AFCON 2025 final and underscores CAF’s strict enforcement of competition regulations.
While Morocco emerges as the official winner, the decision is likely to generate debate across African football, particularly regarding disciplinary standards and match conduct at the highest level of the continental game.
CAF noted that “all other motions or prayers for relief are dismissed,” bringing finality to the appeal process.