Appeal board overturns final result, crowns hosts champions in dramatic ruling.
The Confederation of African Football has officially awarded the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title to Morocco national football team after ruling that Senegal national football team forfeited the final.
The decision came from CAF’s Appeal Board, which upheld a protest filed by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football, overturning an earlier disciplinary ruling and awarding Morocco a 3–0 victory in line with tournament regulations.
“The Senegal National Team is declared to have forfeited the Final Match… with the result recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football.”
The ruling was made under Article 84 of the AFCON regulations, with the board also confirming that Senegal breached Article 82, leading to the forfeiture decision.
This outcome dramatically reverses the original result, where Senegal had been declared winners after a 1–0 victory in Rabat, in a tense and controversial final that went to extra time.
The Appeal Board also reviewed several disciplinary cases linked to the match. Moroccan midfielder Ismaël Saibari had his punishment reduced to a two-match suspension (one suspended), while a previous $100,000 fine was cancelled.
CAF further adjusted fines imposed on Morocco:
- Ball boy incident fine reduced to $50,000
- Laser-related incident fine reduced to $10,000
- However, a $100,000 fine for interference near the VAR area was upheld
Despite these sanctions, Morocco emerge as champions—not by result on the pitch, but by legal ruling—in one of the most extraordinary conclusions in AFCON history.
The decision marks a significant moment for African football, as CAF’s appeal process ultimately reshaped the outcome of its flagship tournament, handing the title to the host nation.
