CAF Strips Senegal of AFCON 2025 Title, Declares Morocco Champions!
Appeal Board Upholds Morocco’s Protest, Rules 3–0 Victory Over Senegal
The CAF Appeal Board has ruled that Senegal’s national team forfeited the Final Match of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025.
In applying Article 84 of the tournament regulations, the Board declared the result of the match to be a 3–0 victory in favor of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).
This decision followed an appeal lodged by the FRMF concerning the application of Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON regulations.
The Appeal Board found the appeal admissible, set aside the earlier ruling of the CAF Disciplinary Board, and upheld Morocco’s protest.
It concluded that Senegal’s conduct fell within the scope of the relevant articles, thereby constituting an infringement. As a result, Senegal was deemed to have forfeited the final, handing Morocco the official win.
The Board also addressed several disciplinary matters.
Regarding Moroccan player Ismaël Saibari, it confirmed misconduct under Articles 82 and 83(1) of the CAF Disciplinary Code but reduced his sanction to a two-match suspension, with one match suspended, and lifted the USD 100,000 fine previously imposed.
On the issue of ball boys, the Board upheld responsibility on the FRMF but reduced the fine to USD 50,000. The interference around the VAR review area was treated more severely, with the USD 100,000 fine confirmed.
Meanwhile, the fine related to the laser incident was reduced to USD 10,000.
