AFCON: CAF Dethrones Senegal, Awards Morocco 3–0 Victory In 2025 Final
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeal Board has declared that the Senegal national team forfeited the final of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025, with the match result officially recorded as a 3–0 victory in favour of hosts Morocco.
The decision follows an appeal lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) concerning alleged breaches of Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON Regulations by the Senegalese side.
According to a statement by CAF on Tuesday night, after reviewing the case, the CAF Appeal Board upheld Morocco’s appeal, overturning the earlier decision of the CAF Disciplinary Board.
“The appeal lodged by the FRMF is declared admissible in form and is upheld. The conduct of the Senegal team falls within the scope of Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON Regulations. Consequently, Senegal is declared to have forfeited the match, with the result recorded as 3–0 in favour of Morocco. All other motions or prayers for relief are dismissed,” the CAF statement read.
The board found that the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), through the conduct of its team, infringed Article 82 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations. The ruling effectively strips Senegal of the final’s outcome, awarding Morocco the championship title.
The Appeal Board also addressed several other disciplinary matters arising from the final. The appeal regarding Morocco’s player, Ismaël Saibari (No. 11), was partially upheld. While confirming that Saibari committed misconduct in violation of Articles 82 and 83(1) of the CAF Disciplinary Code, the board amended his sanction to a suspension of two official CAF matches, one of which is suspended, and set aside the previously imposed fine of USD 100,000.
Further rulings included the ball boys incident, for which Morocco was held responsible. The original fine was reduced to USD 50,000. The interference around the OFR/VAR review area, however, was dismissed, and the fine of USD 100,000 imposed on Morocco in relation to this incident was confirmed. Similarly, the fine for the laser pointer incident was reduced to USD 10,000. All other motions or prayers for relief in these matters were dismissed.
The CAF Appeal Board’s ruling brings a definitive conclusion to one of the most controversial finals in recent AFCON history, leaving Morocco as the official champions of AFCON 2025 and Senegal facing the consequences of their actions on the field.
The final had previously been mired in disputes over match conduct, and the decision now ensures that CAF’s regulations are applied decisively, reinforcing the principles of discipline and fair play in African football.
