The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) Appeal Board has officially named the Morocco national football team as winners of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations following a decisive ruling against the Senegal national football team.
This decision follows an appeal submitted by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football, which challenged the outcome and events surrounding the AFCON final played in Morocco.
According to CAF, Senegal has been deemed to have forfeited the final match under Article 84 of the tournament regulations. Consequently, the match result has been awarded as a 3–0 victory to Morocco.
The Appeal Board upheld Morocco’s protest and overturned the earlier ruling by the CAF Disciplinary Board. It further determined that Senegal’s actions constituted a violation of Article 82 of the AFCON regulations, leading to the forfeiture decision.
“The appeal lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football is admissible and upheld,” the statement noted. “The Senegal team is declared to have forfeited the match, with the result recorded as 3–0 in favour of Morocco.”
Meanwhile, the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football has rejected the ruling, labeling it as unfair and unacceptable.
In response, Senegal’s football governing body confirmed it will take the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, stating its intention to defend its position and pursue justice through the highest authority in sports arbitration.
The ruling now opens the door for a possible legal showdown, as the final outcome of the 2025 AFCON could ultimately be determined off the field.
By Jones Adzi
