The extraordinary ruling to strip Senegal of their AFCON title and award it to Morocco two months later is unprecedented. Here we answer the key questions and examine the potential ramifications…
Why has the decision been taken?
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeal Board found Senegal broke AFCON regulations by walking off the pitch during the final, which took place on January 18, after Morocco were awarded a contentious penalty.
Many Senegal players vacated the field, led by their coach Pape Thiaw, delaying the game by around 17 minutes before captain Sadio Mane convinced them to return. Brahim Diaz had his Panenka saved before tournament hosts Morocco lost 1-0 in extra-time.
Sadio Mane urged his Senegal players back on the pitch as they left in protest
Article 82 of AFCON’s regulations states that if a team refuses to play or leaves the ground before the end of regulation time without the referee’s authorisation, it will be considered the loser and eliminated from the competition.
Under Article 84 any team that violates Article 82 will be permanently eliminated and lose the match 3-0.
The result is an outcome of an appeal made by Morocco’s football federation.
Why has it taken two months?
No explanation has been given by CAF around why the officials failed to apply the regulations at the time.
CAF have re-analysed the rulebook following Morocco’s appeal against initial sanctions around the other controversial flashpoints from the final.
Subsequently, the appeal board took the unprecedented step of reversing the result, awarding a 3-0 win to Morocco.
Morocco said in a statement the appeal was never “intended to challenge the sporting performance of the teams” only “to request the application of the competition’s regulations”.
Is this the end of the matter? Will there be an appeal?
The Senegalese football federation plan to appeal the ruling to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the highest court in Switzerland, which typically takes around a year to deliver a verdict.
Senegal are preparing to file their appeal and after that a panel will be appointed for their case.
How much damage has been done to AFCON’s reputation?
Mali players celebrate after the penalty shootout win against Tunisia
The Senegalese federation branded the decision “iniquitous, unprecedented and unacceptable”, saying it “threw discredit on African football”.
Secretary general of Senegal’s football federation called the decision a “shame for Africa” in an interview with public broadcaster Radiodiffusion Télévision Sénégalaise.
For now, technically, Morocco are considered 3-0 winners of the final which ends a 49-year wait for their second AFCON title.
As tournament hosts, much of the build-up centered around whether Morocco, considered the favourites, could finally get over the line.
Two months later, after losing the game, Morocco have been crowned champions via a statement.
Dependent on Senegal’s appeal, that honour might be snatched back from them.
Irrespective of the outcome, AFCON 2025 is tarnished by the handling of this matter and so too, by extension, the winners, whose name on the trophy will come with an asterisk as far as fans are concerned.
Senegal players celebrate with the trophy after winning the Africa Cup of Nations
“It’s quite sad to see how things have developed and some of the reactions because for such a long time, there’s been a big debate about AFCON and African football getting the respect that it deserves,” African football expert Mimi Fawaz said on Sky Sports News.
“But reading the reaction from a lot of the African football fans, that’s the argument that they’re making, some of them, that it has put a stain on African football.
“They have criticised the decision that was made, especially coming two months after the final where Senegal were awarded the winners.
“But of course, some Moroccan fans are saying that they’re actually happy with the result. They feel that it’s justified.”
Are Senegal expected to hand back their medals?
This much is unclear for now, with an appeal process set to commence, however judging by the Senegal response it would appear that might be a difficult task.
Senegal’s men’s team responded to Tuesday night’s ruling by posting footage of their victory parade on X.
Some of Senegal’s Premier League stars also mocked the ruling on social media.
West Ham’s El Hadji Malick Diouf, Crystal Palace’s Ismaila Sarr and Sunderland’s Habib Diarra all posted laughing emojis on their Instagram stories, as well as pictures of them with the AFCON trophy and celebrations.
What if you bet on Morocco to win?
Bookmaker Paddy Power posted on X to say that any single or multiple bets on Morocco to win would now be paid out. Refunds are not being requested for those who backed Senegal to win.
Sky Bet have paid out on Morocco as winners in the outright market.
Betfair say they have resettled outrights bets on Morocco placed before the tournament.
