In an unprecedented and highly controversial decision, Senegal stripped They won the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title months after their victory on the pitch, with Morocco declared official champions following a decision by African football’s governing body.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced on March 17 that Senegal’s 1-0 win in extra time was canceled and Morocco was awarded a 3-0 win by default.
The ruling comes after chaotic scenes during the final match, which was held on January 18 in Rabat. Late in stoppage time, Morocco were awarded a controversial penalty kick after a VAR review. In protest, the Senegal players walked off the field for 14 to 16 minutes before eventually returning to complete the match.
Morocco failed to convert the penalty, and Senegal went on to score in extra time, seemingly securing their second Africa Cup of Nations title.
However, Morocco filed an appeal after the match, arguing that Senegal’s exit constituted a breach of tournament regulations.
The CAF Appeals Board ultimately sided with Morocco, citing competition rules that stipulate that any team that leaves the field without the referee’s permission loses the match.
As a result, the final score was officially recorded as a 3-0 victory for Morocco, giving the host nation their first Africa Cup of Nations title since 1976 and only their second in history.
The decision represents one of the most dramatic changes in the tournament’s history, rewriting the outcome of Africa’s biggest football competition months after its conclusion.
Reaction and appeal
The ruling sparked widespread backlash in Senegal, with football officials and fans condemning the decision as unfair.
The Senegalese Football Federation described the ruling as “legally baseless” and confirmed its plans to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Players and fans also expressed their frustration, with some openly mocking the decision and continuing to celebrate what they saw as a legitimate victory.
The controversy has cast a long shadow over what was already one of the most chaotic Africa Cup of Nations finals in recent memory.
The match was marred not only by a disputed penalty kick but also by Senegal’s disallowed goal, on-field confrontations and crowd unrest, raising wider concerns about the refereeing and control of the match.
Now that the title will be decided in the courtroom rather than on the field, questions remain about governance, consistency in enforcing the regulations, and the precedent this decision sets for future tournaments.