- Strips Senegal of continental title for indiscipline
BY VICTOR OSOWOCHI – In a dramatic reversal of fortunes, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has stripped the Teranga Lions of Senegal of their AFCON 2025 title and handed it over to the Atlas Lions of Morocco.
According to the continental football governing body’s Appeal Board, the decision is in line with its tournament regulations, whereby Senegal forfeited the match for walking out of the pitch.
A statement released by CAF on Tuesday said the Appeal Board awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory, and ultimately crowned the Atlas Lions as the AFCON 2025 champions.
At the AFCON 25 final, which pitted Senegal against hosts Morocco in Rabat on Sunday, January 18, 2026, controversy took the centre stage after the Moroccans were awarded a last-minute penalty that was hotly disputed by the Senegalese despite VAR confirmation.
Amid the hot exchanges and protestations, the Senegalese players stormed off the pitch, but returned several minutes later to continue the match. However, when things eventually calmed down, the resultant penalty by Brahim Diaz was saved to the huge disappointment of the host nation and their teeming supporters. Thereafter, the Teranga Lions went on to score an extra-time winner and clinch a second AFCON title.
Furious at how the final match panned out, Morocco appealed Senegal’s action of leaving the pitch, but CAF’s disciplinary board ruled in favour of Senegal, leading to an appeal by Morocco’s Football Federation.
With the success of their appeal, CAF upgraded Morocco and crowned them champions while removing Senegal as the initial gold medal winners for breaching Article 84 of tournament regulations.
Interestingly, this shocking twist of events is coming about two months after the ill-tempered final match played at the 69,500 capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, the Moroccan capital.
The Full CAF Appeal Board Media Statement Released On Tuesday, 17 March 2026
The Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”) Appeal Board decided today that in application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Senegal National Team is declared to have forfeited the Final Match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 (“the Match”), with the result of the Match being recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).
On the appeal by the FRMF regarding the application of Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the CAF Appeal Board made the following rulings:
– “The appeal lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) is declared admissible in form and the appeal is upheld.
– The CAF Disciplinary Board decision is set aside.
– The CAF Appeal Board further finds that the conduct of the Senegal team falls within the scope of Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations.
– The protest lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) is upheld.
– It is declared that the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), through the conduct of its team, infringed Article 82 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations.
– In application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations, the Senegal team is declared to have forfeited the match, with the result recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).
– All other motions or prayers for relief are dismissed.”
Also, The CAF Appeal Board Ruled As Follows:
– “The appeal lodged in respect of Mr Ismaël Saibari (Player No. 11 of the Morocco National Team) is partially upheld.
– The CAF Appeal Board confirms the finding that Mr Ismaël Saibari (Player No. 11 of the Morocco National Team) committed misconduct in violation of Articles 82 and 83(1) of the CAF Disciplinary Code.
– The sanction imposed on Mr Ismaël Saibari (Player No. 11 of the Morocco National Team) is amended to a suspension of two (2) official CAF matches, of which one (1) match is suspended.
– The fine of USD 100,000 imposed on Mr Ismaël Saibari (Player No. 11 of the Morocco National Team) is set aside.
– The appeal lodged in respect of the ball boys incident is partially upheld.
– The CAF Appeal Board confirms the finding that the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) is responsible for the conduct of the ball boys during the aforementioned match.
– The fine imposed on the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) in respect of the ball boys incident is reduced to USD 50,000.
– The appeal lodged in respect of the interference around the OFR/VAR review area is dismissed.
– The fine of USD 100,000 imposed on the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) in respect of the interference around the OFR/VAR review area is confirmed.
– The appeal lodged in respect of the laser incident is partially upheld.
– The fine imposed on the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) in respect of the laser incident is reduced to USD 10,000.
– All other motions or prayers for relief are dismissed.”
