Bookmakers Make Unprecedented Payout on Morocco AFCON Win
In a remarkable turn of events, numerous bookmakers have agreed to pay out on Morocco winning the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, following an unprecedented ruling by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). This decision has created a rare double payout scenario, as many firms had already settled bets on Senegal after the original final.
The Controversial AFCON Final Walk-Off
During the final minutes of normal time in the 2025 AFCON final, Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw ordered his players to leave the pitch in protest of a controversial VAR-awarded penalty for Morocco. This 15-to-20-minute delay was deemed a violation of tournament regulations regarding the refusal to play, leading to significant repercussions.
CAF's Legal Justification and Ruling
The CAF Appeal Board cited Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON Regulations, which state that any team leaving the field without the referee's permission is considered to have forfeited. Consequently, the board wiped the 1-0 result and replaced it with a 3-0 default victory for the host nation, Morocco. This landmark ruling marks the first time an AFCON winner has been stripped of their title months after the final whistle, overturning an earlier disciplinary hearing in January that only resulted in heavy fines for both nations.
Senegal's Defiant Response and Legal Challenge
The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has labelled the decision a "travesty" and a "shame for African football." They have officially confirmed they will take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in an attempt to reclaim their medals, setting the stage for a prolonged legal battle.
Bookmakers' Generous Payout Decisions
Following the news, Paddy Power was among the first to announce on X (formerly Twitter) that they would pay out on Morocco, applying to both single and multiple bets. Brian O’Keeffe, a spokesperson for BoyleSports, confirmed that the firm is also settling bets on Morocco as winners, reflecting a trend of bookmakers choosing to follow the administrative "official" winner rather than the "on-pitch" winner.
Industry-Wide Impact and Financial Headache
Betclic, Betfair, and Sky Bet have all moved to settle Morocco bets, creating a massive financial headache for bookmakers who must now decide whether to "claw back" winnings from Senegal backers or simply take the loss. Most major firms are opting for the latter to maintain customer goodwill, despite the significant hit to their margins, as this situation is rare in the industry where bets are typically settled based on the result at the time of the trophy presentation.
