Senegal to Appeal CAF Decision as Morocco Declared AFCON Champions
Senegal have confirmed they will appeal a shocking decision by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) that stripped them of their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title and awarded it to Morocco – two months after a dramatic and controversial final in Rabat.
What Happened in the AFCON Final?
The AFCON final, played on January 18 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, ended in chaos after a late penalty was awarded to Morocco deep into stoppage time.
With the match still goalless, Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala pointed to the spot following a VAR review for a challenge on Brahim Díaz.
In protest, several Senegal players walked off the pitch, causing a delay of nearly 20 minutes. Captain Sadio Mané eventually led his teammates back onto the field, allowing the match to continue.
Morocco failed to capitalize on the moment, as Edouard Mendy saved Díaz’s attempted Panenka penalty. The game proceeded to extra time, where Pape Gueye scored the decisive goal to secure a 1-0 victory for Senegal.
Why CAF Overturned the Result
Following an official appeal by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, CAF reviewed the incident and ruled that Senegal had violated competition regulations.
Citing Articles 82 and 84 of AFCON rules, CAF stated that any team that leaves the field without referee permission forfeits the match. As a result, Senegal were deemed to have lost the final 3-0, and Morocco were officially declared champions.
The FRMF clarified that their appeal was not about the match result itself but about enforcing competition rules and maintaining fairness in African football.
Senegal’s Response and Next Steps
The Senegalese Football Federation has strongly condemned CAF’s decision, calling it “unjust, unprecedented, and unacceptable.”
Senegal will now take the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, seeking to overturn the ruling and reinstate their AFCON victory.
Fallout and Reactions
The final was marred not only by the on-field protest but also by crowd trouble, including an attempted pitch invasion by Senegal supporters.
Several players reacted angrily on social media, including Moussa Niakhaté, who posted an image lifting the trophy with a defiant caption.
Gianni Infantino, who attended the match, criticized the scenes, stating that leaving the field and any form of violence “cannot be tolerated in football.”
CAF had already issued fines to both federations in January for unsportsmanlike conduct, while legal proceedings involving Senegalese supporters arrested during the final are still ongoing.
What This Means for African Football
This unprecedented ruling has sparked debate across the continent, raising questions about match governance, VAR decisions, and the enforcement of football regulations.
All eyes now turn to CAS, whose final verdict could reshape the outcome of one of the most controversial AFCON finals in recent history.
