Zuko Komisa
- Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially declared Morocco the 2025 AFCON champions after ruling that Senegal forfeited the final.
- The decision followed a successful appeal by Moroccan Football Federation, with CAF finding that Senegal’s walkout breached conduct rules and amounted to conceding the match.
- Moroccan midfielder Ismaël Saibari was still disciplined, but his $100 000 fine was scrapped and his suspension reduced to two matches (one suspended).
The Confédération of African Football (CAF) has made a shock announcement, officially naming Morocco as the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations champions.
The decision follows a legal ruling that Senegal forfeited the final.
The Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) successfully appealed the match outcome, arguing that Senegal’s team walkout violated CAF’s strict conduct regulations.
The Appeal Board agreed, ruling that by abandoning the game, Senegal automatically conceded the match.
The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has reacted with fury, describing the ruling as “unjust, unprecedented, and unacceptable.”
In an official statement, the FSF confirmed it will escalate the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne as soon as possible.
They argue the decision brings the game into disrepute and intend to exhaust all legal avenues to reclaim the title they won on the pitch.
Despite the win, Moroccan midfielder Ismaël Saibari still faced disciplinary action for his part in the drama. However, his punishment was softened:
- His $100 000 fine was completely cancelled.
- His suspension was cut to two matches (with one match suspended).
The CAF Appeal Board decided 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”),…
— CAF Media (@CAF_Media) March 17, 2026
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