How it unfolded
The AFCON 2025 final, held on January 18, 2025, initially saw Senegal claim victory with a score of 1-0 against Morocco. However, the match was overshadowed by significant incidents, including a walk-off by Senegal and fan violence, which marred the event. These developments set the stage for a contentious aftermath that would unfold over the following weeks.
In the wake of the final, Morocco’s Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) filed a protest against Senegal’s actions during the match. Initially, this protest was rejected by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Disciplinary Board. However, the situation escalated when CAF’s Appeals Committee ruled that Senegal’s walk-off constituted a breach of Article 82 of the AFCON regulations, leading to a significant decision.
On March 17, 2026, 57 days after the final, CAF announced that Morocco would be declared the winner of the match with a final score of 3-0, following Senegal’s forfeiture. This ruling was met with immediate backlash from Senegal, whose Football Federation announced plans to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). FIFA president Gianni Infantino condemned Senegal’s walk-off as ‘unacceptable’, further complicating the situation.
The Senegalese government reacted strongly to the ruling, labeling it ‘grossly illegal’ and calling for an international inquiry into the matter. They expressed concerns about the implications of the ruling on the credibility of CAF, indicating that the decision could have far-reaching effects on African football.
In addition to the forfeiture, Senegal faced substantial fines, including $615,000 imposed on the Senegalese Football Federation and $100,000 on their coach for unsporting conduct. Morocco also faced penalties, with a $200,000 fine for their federation and $100,000 for improper conduct by their players. The initial fine for the use of lasers by supporters was reduced from $15,000 to $10,000.
The decision to declare Morocco the winner has been described as unprecedented and of exceptional gravity, with critics arguing that it contradicts the fundamental principles of sports ethics. Said El Abadi remarked, “This is truly a landmark decision, one that will leave a lasting mark on the history of African football and beyond.” Meanwhile, Mustapha Esadik noted, “It has damaged African football, and that is a real shame.”
As the situation continues to develop, Senegal’s appeal to CAS will be closely watched. The outcome of this appeal could redefine the landscape of African football governance and the enforcement of regulations. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the timeline for the appeal process and any potential further actions by either party involved.
