AFCON Final Overturned: Morocco Crowned Champions as Senegal Stripped of Title

AFCON Final Overturned: Morocco Crowned Champions as Senegal Stripped of Title

Morocco have been officially declared winners of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after CAF’s Appeal Board overturned the original final result against Senegal, awarding the hosts a 3–0 victory following a dramatic player walk-off.

The decision follows chaotic scenes in Rabat, where Senegal’s players abandoned the pitch during extra time in protest over a controversial penalty awarded to Morocco after a VAR review. What began as a tense finale ultimately ended in an unprecedented administrative ruling.

Senegal lose title after walk-off protest

In its ruling, CAF confirmed that the appeal filed by Morocco’s football federation was upheld, while the earlier decision of the Disciplinary Board was set aside. The governing body found Senegal guilty of breaching competition regulations by leaving the field of play.

The incident that triggered the controversy occurred deep into stoppage time when Morocco’s Brahim Diaz was adjudged to have been fouled in the penalty area following a VAR intervention. The decision sparked outrage from the Senegalese bench, with head coach Pape Thiaw instructing his players to walk off in protest.

CAF ruled that the action violated Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON regulations, which govern team conduct and forfeiture. As a result, Senegal were handed a 3–0 defeat by default.

CAF confirms Morocco as champions

In an official statement, CAF declared that Senegal had forfeited the final, with the result recorded in favour of Morocco. The appeal lodged by Morocco was deemed valid and fully upheld, while all other claims were dismissed.

The ruling not only hands Morocco the title but also marks one of the most controversial conclusions in AFCON history, with Senegal losing what would have been their second continental crown due to disciplinary breaches rather than events on the pitch.