By Staff Reporter
HARARE — African football’s governing body, Confederation of African Football (CAF), has taken the extraordinary and unprecedented step of stripping Senegal of the Africa Cup of Nations title and awarding the championship to Morocco, in a decision that has sent shockwaves across the continent’s football community.
The ruling, announced on Tuesday by CAF’s appeals board, overturns the result of the January 18 AFCON final played in Rabat, declaring that Senegal forfeited the match after players walked off the pitch in protest against a late refereeing decision.
CAF said the game, originally won 1–0 by Senegal, will now be officially recorded as a 3–0 victory in favour of Morocco, effectively handing the hosts the continental crown.
The governing body described the outcome as the result of disciplinary proceedings following the chaotic scenes that marred the final.
The appeals board concluded that Senegal’s temporary withdrawal from the field constituted a breach of competition regulations, making forfeiture the only applicable sanction.
This move has widely been regarded as one of the most drastic post-match decisions in AFCON history.
During the final, tensions erupted late in regulation time when the referee awarded Morocco a penalty, prompting furious protests from Senegal’s players and coaching staff led by coach Pape Thiaw.
The team briefly walked off the pitch, delaying the match for about 10 minutes before play resumed.
Morocco’s penalty, taken by Brahim Díaz, was saved, and in extra time Pape Gueye scored what appeared to be the winning goal that secured Senegal’s second AFCON title.
The match was overshadowed by widespread disorder, including supporters attempting to invade the pitch, clashes between players on the sidelines, confrontations between journalists in the media section, and an unusual incident in which Moroccan ball boys tried to grab a towel being used by goalkeeper Édouard Mendy in what Senegal officials claimed was an attempt to distract him.
CAF had initially imposed fines exceeding $1 million and issued bans to several players and officials from both teams but had allowed the result to stand.
Tuesday’s ruling reverses that position completely, marking one of the rare occasions in African football history where a major final has been decided by forfeiture after the match was completed.
Football analysts say the decision could set a major precedent for future continental competitions, as it demonstrates CAF’s willingness to alter results long after the final whistle,
Football analysts on the other hand warn that CAF’s controversial decision could open the door to prolonged legal disputes.
Senegal’s football federation is expected to challenge the ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, meaning the controversial AFCON final may not yet be fully settled.
