In breaking news Tuesday, the Confédéracion Africaine de Football (CAF) Appeal Board announced that the results of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) final were to be overturned.
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).
CAF Appeal Board Statement
The board determined that Senegal’s actions at the end of the final against Morocco, when players left the field in protest over a penalty kick deep in stoppage time, constituted violations of Articles 82 and 84 of the tournament’s rule and regulations.
Read the complete statement here.
The Incident
After the Senegalese players left the pitch in protest of the handball called on El Hadji Malick Diouf, the match was delayed between 14 and 17 minutes (reports on duration vary by source). The entire Senegalese team left with the exception of Sadio Mané, who remained on the field, eventually entering the dressing room and encouraging his team to return.
Brahim Diaz missed the ensuing penalty kick, and the game went into extra time on a 0-0 scoreline.
Pape Gueye scored in the 94th minute of extra time, giving Senegal the victory after the full 120 minutes were played.
Protest
This ruling comes after the FRMF lodged a protest, claiming that Senegal’s leaving the pitch constituted a forfeit. CAF apparently agreed, and as a result Morocco is now the winner with a 3-0 scoreline.
Expect further sanctions against Senegal to follow, though this whole sordid affair does nothing to boost the reputation of the CAF and African soccer globally.
