The African Football Confederation has reassessed the scandal-ridden final game, which was marred by tumult, the CAF appeals body declared the game lost for Senegal around two months after it was played in accordance with Article 84 of the rules, and the result was rated 3-0 in favor of hosts Morocco. The association announced this on Tuesday.
The Senegalese Football Association announced on Wednesday night that it would go to the International Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). “The Senegalese Football Association condemns this unjust, unprecedented and unacceptable decision which brings African football into disrepute“, it said in a statement. Therefore, the association will “lodge an appeal with the International Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne as soon as possible“.
Senegal strike has late consequences
The appeal court’s ruling was against the CAF’s decision, which had initially imposed numerous fines but left the sporting result untouched. In its decision, the association ruled that the Senegal team had returned after its short-term boycott and that the criteria for abandonment were therefore not met.
The background to the decision is the chaotic final on January 18th in Rabat, which was about to be canceled. After a late penalty whistle for Morocco, Senegal’s players temporarily left the pitch in protest, and the game only resumed after a long interruption. Brahim Diaz missed the penalty, and Pape Gueye scored in extra time (94th minute) to make it 1-0 for Senegal.
Morocco reacts cautiously
The CAF now considered the behavior of the Senegalese players before the Diaz penalty as a violation of Articles 82 and 84 and upheld the Moroccan association’s objection. “The CAF Appeals Commission has decided that, in accordance with Article 84 of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Regulations, the final of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup (AFCON) Morocco 2025 (“the Match”) is deemed lost for the Senegalese national team and the result of the match is declared 3-0 in favor of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF)”the CAF statement said verbatim.
The Moroccan association said: “This measure was in no way intended to call into question the sporting performance of the teams taking part in this competition, but rather simply to demand the application of the competition regulations.”
FIFA President Infantino: “It must never happen again”
There was also a threat of cancellation because chaos broke out in the stands in Rabat. Senegal’s fans wanted to storm the pitch, but security forces prevented this. The Moroccan association announced legal action against CAF and FIFA immediately after the game. “This situation had a significant impact on the normal course of the game and the performance of the players”the association explained at the time and was already aiming for the player to leave the pitch in the meantime.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino also had it “unacceptable” and “ugly” Scenes spoken, the “sentenced” would have to be and themselves “never repeat” should. Senegal around Bayern professional Nicolas Jackson and top star Sadio Mané celebrated its second title after 2022. This triumph loses its validity due to the subsequent ranking, and Morocco is instead listed as African champions for the first time since 1976.
