The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has stripped Senegal of the Africa Cup of Nations title they won in January and declared Morocco champions.
In a statement released on Tuesday, CAF ruled that “the Senegal national team is declared to have forfeited the match,” overturning their 1-0 victory and recording the result as a 3-0 win in favour of Morocco.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation clarified that its actions were not aimed at disputing on-field performance but rather to ensure that competition rules were properly enforced.
The controversy stemmed from events late in the final, when several Senegalese players briefly walked off the pitch in protest of a refereeing decision. The match was further disrupted as some supporters attempted a pitch invasion, while players halted proceedings for nearly 20 minutes following a late penalty awarded to Morocco.
The decision to award the penalty came at the end of normal time with the match still goalless, triggering protests from Senegal’s players. After play resumed, Brahim Diaz missed the crucial spot-kick, and Pape Gueye later scored in extra time to seemingly secure victory for Senegal.
The controversial final
The dramatic final saw Senegal edge Morocco 1-0 after extra time in front of a packed crowd at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. The game, however, was overshadowed by chaos following a late VAR review that resulted in a penalty decision.
Referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded the spot-kick after reviewing a challenge involving Senegal defender El Hadji Malick Diouf. The decision sparked outrage among Senegal players and fans, leading to a temporary walk-off and unrest in the stands.
Edouard Mendy saved Diaz’s penalty, which had been delayed significantly due to the disruption. Earlier in the match, Senegal had also seen a goal ruled out, further fueling tensions.
Following the missed penalty, Senegal appeared reinvigorated and went on to score early in extra time, with Gueye’s goal initially sealing what seemed to be a historic victory before CAF’s ruling reversed the outcome.
What you should know
CAF’s decision highlights strict enforcement of match regulations, particularly regarding player conduct and match disruptions.
Walking off the pitch and prolonged protests can lead to forfeiture, regardless of the final score. The ruling shifts the AFCON title to Morocco and may have lasting implications for disciplinary standards in African football.
It also underscores how off-field actions can override on-field results in major tournaments.
