AFCON 2025 Shocker: Morocco Crowned Champions After Senegal Stripped of Title

Morocco have been officially declared winners of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations following a dramatic decision that saw Senegal stripped of the title after the final.

TRUETELLS Nigeria reports that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeal Board awarded Morocco a 3–0 victory via walkover after ruling that Senegal forfeited the match due to misconduct during the final.

The decision came after an appeal filed by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF), which challenged an earlier ruling by CAF’s Disciplinary Board. In its verdict issued on Tuesday, the Appeal Board upheld Morocco’s case and overturned the previous decision.

According to CAF, Senegal’s actions during the match breached Article 82 and Article 84 of the competition’s regulations, leading to the forfeiture. The controversy stemmed from Senegal’s protest over a penalty decision, which resulted in players walking off the pitch.

“The appeal lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football is admissible and upheld. The earlier decision by the Disciplinary Board is set aside,” CAF stated.

The ruling effectively hands Morocco the AFCON 2025 title, rewriting the outcome of a final that Senegal had initially won on the pitch, sparking celebrations across the country before the reversal.

CAF also addressed several disciplinary issues arising from the heated encounter. Moroccan midfielder Ismaël Saibari was found guilty of misconduct but received a reduced sanction — a two-match ban, with one match suspended — while a previously imposed $100,000 fine was cancelled.

Additional sanctions were issued over match-day incidents, including interference around the VAR area, actions involving ball boys, and the use of laser pointers. Morocco’s fine for ball boy misconduct was reduced to $50,000, while a $100,000 penalty related to VAR interference was upheld. A separate fine for laser-related incidents was also reduced to $10,000.

The final, which had been marred by controversy, stoppages, and multiple VAR reviews, triggered complaints from both sides over officiating and crowd disturbances. While Senegal initially emerged victorious, Morocco’s swift protest led to an investigation that uncovered several regulatory breaches.

The unprecedented ruling is already generating intense debate across the African football community, raising concerns about officiating standards, disciplinary consistency, and governance within the continent’s premier football tournament.