Shock CAF ruling strips Senegal of AFCON title and awards it to Morocco
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The Confederation of African Football has stripped Senegal of the Africa Cup of Nations title and awarded the championship to Morocco after its Appeal Board overturned the result of the January 18 final in Rabat, ruling that Senegal forfeited the match 3-0 after walking off the pitch in protest over a disputed penalty before returning to continue the game.
Senegal had originally won the final 1-0 after extra time in a match dominated by chaos late in regulation. Morocco was awarded a penalty following a VAR review, prompting Senegal’s players to leave the field for around 14 minutes before returning. Morocco then missed the penalty, and Pape Gueye went on to score the winner in extra time.
The controversy did not end at full time. CAF had already opened disciplinary proceedings after the final, while both CAF and FIFA president Gianni Infantino condemned the walk-off and surrounding unrest. The Appeal Board later ruled in Morocco’s favour, replacing the on-field result with a 3-0 decision and formally transferring the title from Senegal to Morocco.
The ruling gives Morocco a long-awaited continental title after originally losing the final on the field, while Senegal’s January triumph is now erased from the official record. The decision comes after weeks of sporting and diplomatic tension linked to the final, along with major fines and suspensions issued against members of both camps.
Beyond the result itself, the decision has wider significance for the image of the tournament and the limits of protest in major matches. What began as a dramatic final has now become a major continental precedent, renewing debate over discipline, refereeing authority, and the protection of competitive integrity in African football.
