Morocco have been awarded a 3-0 victory in the Africa Cup of Nations final after Senegal were stripped of the title following a walkout protest during the match in Rabat in January. The Confederation of African Football (Caf) announced on Tuesday that its appeal board ruled Senegal forfeited the final, overturning the original result.
During the final, Senegal's head coach Pape Thiaw and some players left the pitch for 15 minutes in protest at a penalty awarded to Morocco. They returned after captain Sadio Mané urged them back, and Brahim Díaz's spot-kick was saved, sending the match to extra time where Pape Gueye scored the winner for Senegal.
Caf's statement confirmed the decision, citing breaches of articles 84 and 82 of the competition regulations. Senegal are expected to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Defender Moussa Niakhaté criticised the ruling on Instagram, posting a picture of him holding the trophy with the caption: 'Come and get them. They are crazy.'
The Moroccan football federation welcomed the decision, stating it sought only the application of regulations, not to challenge sporting performance. Senegal had celebrated their second Afcon title with a million-strong parade in Dakar before the ruling.
