Senegal have been stripped of their Africa Cup of Nations title, with Morocco declared winners of the 2025 tournament after a controversial ruling by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The decision, announced almost two months after the final, stems from Senegal's players walking off the pitch during the match in protest at a VAR-awarded penalty.
The final, held in Morocco, saw Senegal win 1-0 in extra time after Pape Gueye's goal. However, deep into second-half injury time, a late penalty was awarded to Morocco following a VAR review. As fans attempted to storm the field, Senegal's head coach Pape Thiaw instructed his players to leave the pitch. They remained in the dressing room for several minutes before being persuaded to return by Sadio Mane. Brahim Diaz's Panenka penalty was saved by Edouard Mendy, leading to extra time and eventual Senegalese victory.
CAF's Appeal Board ruled that Senegal forfeited the match under Article 84 of the competition regulations, recording the result as a 3-0 win for Morocco. The body also imposed fines exceeding $1 million (£750,000) and bans on players and officials from both nations.
The Senegalese Football Federation has denounced the decision as 'an unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable decision which brings discredit to African football' and plans to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation stated it sought only the application of regulations and reaffirmed its commitment to competitive fairness.
