CAF’s Appeal Board has delivered its verdict. Following an appeal lodged by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, Senegal has been declared to have forfeited the AFCON Morocco 2025 final. The match has officially been awarded to Morocco with a 3-0 scoreline.
The final of the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 has taken an unprecedented turn. The Appeal Board of the Confederation of African Football has ruled that the Senegal national team forfeited the match, in application of Article 84 of the competition’s regulations. The result is therefore officially recorded as a 3-0 win for Morocco.
The decision follows an appeal filed by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation. CAF’s Appeal Board found the appeal admissible and upheld it, while also overturning the earlier decision issued by the Disciplinary Board. The panel concluded that the conduct of the Senegal team fell within the scope of Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON regulations.
In its ruling, CAF held that the Senegalese Football Federation, through the conduct of its team, breached the competition rules. That finding paved the way for the heaviest sanction provided for in such a case, namely a forfeit defeat.
Beyond the sporting outcome, the Appeal Board also ruled on several incidents linked to the final. Moroccan player Ismaël Saibari saw his sanction reduced. He has now been handed a two-match suspension, with one match suspended, while the initial 100,000-dollar fine has been cancelled.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation nevertheless remains sanctioned on several counts. The fine related to the ball boys incident has been reduced to 50,000 dollars. The fine concerning the laser incident has also been lowered and set at 10,000 dollars. However, the 100,000-dollar fine for interference in the OFR/VAR review area has been upheld.
This decision marks a major turning point in this AFCON edition. It officially confirms Morocco as the winner of the final by default and sets a strong precedent for the enforcement of disciplinary regulations in major African football competitions.
