The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has dramatically stripped Senegal of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 title, officially declaring the Atlas Lions of Morocco as champions following a landmark ruling by its Appeals Committee.
In a statement released on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, the CAF Appeals Committee upheld an appeal from the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) and overturned the earlier decision of the CAF Disciplinary Board. The committee applied Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON Regulations to declare that Senegal had forfeited the final match, ratifying the result as a 3-0 victory in favour of Morocco.
The controversial final, originally played on January 18, 2026, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, saw Senegal emerge 1-0 winners in extra time after a tense encounter. However, the match was overshadowed by significant disruptions, including a temporary walk-off by Senegalese players and staff in protest over a late penalty decision awarded to Morocco, as well as incidents involving ball boys, laser pointers directed at players, and alleged interference around the VAR review area.
The Appeals Committee ruled that the behaviour of the Senegal team fell within the scope of the relevant regulations, constituting a violation under Article 82. As a result, the original 1-0 victory for Senegal has been nullified and replaced with a 3-0 forfeit scoreline in Morocco’s favour.
The ruling further addressed several related appeals lodged by both federations. The committee partially accepted the appeal concerning Moroccan player Ismaël Saibari (No. 11), confirming his guilt for misconduct under Articles 82 and 83(1) of the CAF Disciplinary Code. His sanction was revised to a two-match suspension, with one match suspended, and the previously imposed USD 100,000 fine was cancelled.
Regarding the incident involving ball boys, the Appeals Jury confirmed the responsibility of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) and reduced the fine imposed on the federation to USD 50,000.
The fine of USD 100,000 previously imposed on the FRMF for alleged interference around the OFR/VAR review area was upheld in full.
On the matter of lasers directed during the match, the committee partially accepted the appeal and reduced the fine on the FRMF to USD 10,000.
All other requests and conclusions presented in the appeals were rejected.
This unprecedented decision reverses the initial disciplinary outcomes issued in late January 2026, when Senegal had faced fines and bans while Morocco’s protest to overturn the match result was dismissed. The Appeals Board’s intervention now sees Morocco officially recognised as the 2025 AFCON winners.
Senegal, who had celebrated what was initially their second continental crown after their 2021 triumph, now lose the title in one of the most extraordinary post-tournament reversals in African football history.