Morocco to Appeal CAF Sanctions After AFCON 2025 Final Chaos
A week after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) imposed sanctions following the chaotic scenes in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has finally broken its silence.
In a press release issued on Tuesday, the FRMF confirmed it will appeal the disciplinary verdict, insisting the sanctions handed down were not proportionate to the severity of the incidents.
Unlike Senegal’s federation (FSF), which has accepted the punishments, Morocco believes the ruling was too lenient and continues to hold Senegal responsible for the disorder.
The statement read: ‘Taking note of the decisions of the Disciplinary Panel of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) that recently reached the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), regarding the events that took place, on January 18, 2026, the Senegal–Morocco match, counting for the final of the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) and which were marked by the withdrawal of the players and staff members of the selection from the Playing Area as well as the invasion of the pitch by Senegalese fans and the violent scuffles that this caused.
‘In view of the non-compliance of these sanctions with the scale and seriousness of the incidents that occurred as mentioned in the official letter sent by the President of the FRMF to the President of CAF, ensuring to preserve all the rights governed by the regulations. The FRMF has decided to appeal these decisions taken by the CAF Disciplinary Panel.’
Reports suggest Morocco had hoped for a harsher outcome, even pushing for Senegal to be stripped of the title and for the Atlas Lions to be awarded victory ‘on the green carpet.’
The stance aligns with figures such as former CAF disciplinary chief Raymond Hack and CAF president Patrice Motsepe, who have also questioned the severity of the sanctions.
