In a dramatic and unprecedented decision that has sent shockwaves across African football, the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) Appeal Board has ruled that Senegal forfeited the final of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025, handing Morocco a 3–0 victory.
The decision, announced Tuesday, overturns the earlier outcome of the tournament’s final and effectively crowns Morocco as winners following a formal protest by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).
“In application of Article 84… the Senegal National Team is declared to have forfeited the Final Match… with the result recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football,” CAF said in its ruling.
Appeal Upheld, Original Decision Overturned
CAF confirmed that Morocco’s appeal was both valid and successful, setting aside a prior decision by its disciplinary body.
“The appeal lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) is declared admissible… and the appeal is upheld,” the Appeal Board stated.
The panel further concluded that Senegal’s conduct during the final breached tournament regulations.
“The conduct of the Senegal team falls within the scope of Articles 82 and 84… [and] the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football, through the conduct of its team, infringed Article 82.”
As a result, the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF) sees its team officially recorded as having lost the final by forfeiture a rare and highly controversial outcome at this level of international football.
The ruling also addressed several incidents surrounding the match, including player misconduct, crowd control issues, and disruptions during video review processes.
Morocco midfielder Ismaël Saibari was found guilty of misconduct, though his punishment was reduced on appeal.
“The sanction… is amended to a suspension of two (2) official CAF matches, of which one (1) match is suspended,” the board ruled, while also scrapping a previously imposed $100,000 fine.
CAF also held Morocco responsible for the actions of ball boys during the match but reduced the financial penalty:
“The fine… in respect of the ball boys incident is reduced to USD 50,000.”
Additional fines related to a laser incident were lowered to $10,000, while a separate $100,000 fine tied to interference around the VAR review area was upheld.
The decision marks one of the most controversial conclusions to an AFCON tournament in recent history. While Morocco emerges as the official winner, the ruling raises serious questions about match conduct, officiating conditions, and disciplinary enforcement at Africa’s biggest football event.
For Senegal, the verdict represents a devastating reversal from competing in a continental final to being formally sanctioned with a forfeiture.
What Comes Next?
CAF’s ruling is final within its internal structures, but the fallout is expected to continue, with potential reactions from players, officials, and supporters across the continent.
The decision also places renewed scrutiny on tournament governance and enforcement of regulations, particularly in high-stakes matches where tensions and stakes are at their peak.
For now, the 2025 AFCON final will be remembered not for the football played on the pitch but for the decision that rewrote its ending long after the final whistle.
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