GENEVA — The Confederation of African Football’s appeals board on Tuesday overturned Senegal’s victory in the Jan. 18 Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat, declaring Morocco the tournament champion by a 3-0 default after ruling Senegal had forfeited the match.
CAF converted Senegal’s 1-0 extra-time win into a 3-0 forfeit under tournament regulations, saying a team that withdraws, refuses to play, or leaves the ground before the referee’s authorization is considered the loser. The governing body cited article 82 of the competition rules in the appeal decision.
The final had descended into chaos late in stoppage time after a penalty was awarded to hosts Morocco. Senegal’s players, led by coach Pape Thiaw, walked off the field for about 15 minutes while fans attempted to storm the pitch. Play resumed and Morocco forward Brahim Diaz’s spot kick was saved by Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy. Senegal then scored the only goal in extra time and were initially declared 1-0 winners.
Earlier in stoppage time, Senegal had seen what appeared to be a go-ahead goal ruled out for a foul on Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi; television replays suggested the contact was minimal. After the match, CAF’s initial disciplinary hearing imposed more than $1 million in fines and bans on players and officials from both teams but left the result unchanged.
On appeal, the disciplinary panel applied the rule on teams leaving the field and determined Senegal forfeited, a move critics say effectively overrode on-field decisions by the match referee.
Senegal’s football federation said it would appeal the ruling but did not name a forum; one likely option is the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland. Abdoulaye Seydou Sow, secretary general of the Senegalese Football Federation, called the decision “a shame for Africa” and “a travesty that rests on no legal basis,” saying the panel ignored the law.
Several Senegal players reacted on social media. Defender Moussa Niakhaté posted a photo of himself holding the trophy with the caption: “Come and get it! They’re crazy!” Left back El Hadj Malick Diouf wrote, “It’s not what I expected… this thing isn’t going anywhere.”
The verdict hands Morocco its first Africa Cup title since 1976 and denies Senegal a second crown and a possible repeat after their 2021 triumph. Any appeal to CAS would normally take many months and could conclude well after the 2026 World Cup.
Both nations have already qualified for the 2026 tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Senegal was drawn with France, Norway and a playoff winner, with matches slated at MetLife Stadium near New York. Morocco will face Brazil, Scotland and Haiti, opening at MetLife against Brazil. Morocco’s coach Walid Regragui, who led the team to the 2022 World Cup semifinals, left his post two weeks ago after criticism for failing to secure the AFCON title, saying the squad needed a fresh start ahead of the World Cup.
If Senegal’s challenge is unsuccessful, Morocco will enter the 2026 World Cup as the reigning African champion.