BREAKING: CAF Awards AFCON 2025 Title to Morocco

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially awarded the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title to Morocco after ruling that Senegal forfeited the final.

The decision, delivered by CAF’s Appeal Board on Tuesday, invoked Article 84 of the tournament regulations, declaring Senegal to have forfeited the match and awarding a 3–0 victory to the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).

“The CAF Appeal Board decided 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, with the result of the Match being recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).”

The ruling overturns Senegal’s earlier 1–0 extra-time victory in the January 18 final played in Rabat.

CAF found that Senegal breached tournament rules after players walked off the pitch for about 15 minutes in protest of a late penalty decision before returning to complete the match.

Following Morocco’s appeal, the governing body determined that the walk-off constituted a violation of Articles 82 and 84, which prohibit teams from leaving the field without authorisation.

The decision has sparked controversy across African football, with Senegal expected to challenge the ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Morocco’s victory marks their first AFCON title since 1976, while Senegal is stripped of what would have been their second continental triumph.