By Amaechi Agbo

In a landmark ruling that could alter the history of football in Africa for long, the Confederation of Africa Football, CAF has declared Morocco winner of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON.

CAF through its Appeal Committee on Tuesday ruled that Senegal, confirmed winner of the final match on January 18, 2026 with 1-0 scoreline, lost the match after they walked out of the pitch following a controversial  awarded against them by the centre referee.

CAF issued heavy sanctions following the chaotic 2025 AFCON final. Senegal was fined $615,000 and their coach Pape Thiaw received a 5-match ban. Morocco’s FA was fined $315,000, with player Ismaël Saibari receiving a 3-match ban and Achraf Hakimi a 2-match ban, following player/staff misconduct and fan laser use.

However, upon appeal by the Morocco FA, CFA Appeal Committee has ovterunred the ruling declaring Morocco winner.

“CAFAppeal 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 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 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” CAF said in a statement published on its website.

The CAF Appeal Board further found 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, Therefore, “the protest lodged by the 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.” It further said.

 The decision further reads: “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 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.”

Background of the Story                                                         

In January this year, the CAF Disciplinary Board imposed series of sanctions on the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football, the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football, as well as several players and officials, following incidents during the 2025 African Cup of Nations final.

The sanctions were handed down for violations of the CAF Disciplinary Code, including breaches of the principles of fair play, loyalty and integrity, during and after the final match.

As part of the decisions against Senegal, CAF suspended the head coach of the Senegalese national team, Pape Bouna Thiaw, for five official CAF matches for his “unsporting conduct” and “for bringing the game into disrepute.”

Mr Pape Bouna Thiaw was fined $100,000 and suspended for five matches, Senegalese player, Mr Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye for two (2) official CAF matches, for his unsporting behaviour towards the referee.

Suspended Senegalese national team player, Mr Ismaila Sarr for two (2) official CAF matches for his unsporting behaviour towards the referee.

Fined Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), $300,000 for the improper conduct of its supporters, which brought the game into disrepute in violation of the CAF Disciplinary Code principles of fair play and integrity.

The FSF, $300,000 for the unsporting conduct of their players and technical, $15,000 for the misconduct of its national team, due to five (5) of its players having received cautions.

With regard to Morocco, CAF suspended national team defender, Achraf Hakimi, for two official matches, with one of the matches suspended for one year from the date of the decision, for unsporting behaviour.

Midfielder Ismaël Saibari was suspended for three official CAF matches and fined 100,000 dollars for unsporting behaviour.

The FRMF was fined 200,000 dollars for the inappropriate behaviour of stadium ball boys during the final.

CAF also imposed a fine of 100,000 dollars on the Moroccan federation for the improper conduct of its players and technical staff, who invaded the VAR review area and obstructed the referee’s work.

An additional fine of 15,000 dollars was issued for the use of lasers by Moroccan supporters during the match.

The final, held at the Stade Mohammed V in Rabat on January 18, 2026, descended into disarray in the dying moments of regular time.

With the score tied at 0-0, Senegal had a goal disallowed for offside, followed shortly by a VAR review that granted host Morocco a penalty in the eighth minute of added time.

Unsatisfied, Senegal’s head coach, Pape Thiaw, led his players off the pitch in protest, prompting wild scenes, and security had to intervene.

After a delay, the Senegalese team was persuaded to return. Morocco’s penalty was saved by goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, sending the game into extra time.

Midfielder Pape Gueye scored the decisive goal in the fourth minute of the first half of extra time to secure Senegal’s AFCON title.