BREAKING: Senegal lose 2025 AFCON title after walk-off, Morocco named champions

The result of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final has been reversed, with Senegal losing the title after a controversial walk-off during the match.

Morocco have now been confirmed as champions after CAF’s Appeal Board ruled in their favour, awarding a 3-0 victory following the incident in Rabat where Senegal players left the pitch in protest.

Senegal stripped of title after protest
The decision followed an appeal by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF), which CAF upheld, nullifying the earlier ruling and handing the title to the host nation.

The drama unfolded late in the game after a penalty was awarded to Morocco following a VAR review involving Brahim Diaz. The decision sparked protests from Senegal’s bench, with coach Pape Thiaw leading his players off the field.

CAF ruled that Senegal’s actions breached competition regulations, resulting in a forfeiture and automatic 3-0 loss.

CAF confirm decision
The CAF statement read: “The Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”) Appeal 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 TotalEnergies CAF 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 CAF 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.

“The CAF Disciplinary Board decision is set aside.

“The CAF Appeal Board further finds 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.

“The protest lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (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.”