The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially declared Morocco the champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), overturning the original final result two months after the tournament concluded.

The CAF Appeal Board ruled on March 17, 2026, that Senegal forfeited the final match held on January 18, 2026, in Rabat. Under Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON Regulations, a team that leaves the pitch without the referee’s permission is considered the loser. Consequently, Morocco has been awarded a 3-0 victory, stripping Senegal of the title they originally won 1-0 on the pitch.

The controversy stems from the final minutes of normal time at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium:Disallowed Goal & Penalty: In stoppage time, a Senegal goal was ruled out for a foul, followed immediately by a VAR-awarded penalty to Morocco.

The Walk-off: In protest, the Senegalese players, reportedly directed by head coach Pape Thiaw, walked off the field.

The delay: After a roughly 17-minute interruption, captain Sadio Mané convinced his teammates to return.

The Pitch Result: Morocco’s Brahim Díaz missed the ensuing penalty with a “Panenka” effort. Senegal then won the match in extra time via a Pape Gueye goal.

Legal Fallout & Reactions : While Senegal initially celebrated with a trophy parade, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) appealed the result, arguing for the strict application of tournament rules regarding abandonment.

Sanctions: CAF previously imposed over $1 million in fines on both federations for misconduct, including the use of laser pointers by fans and player scuffles.

Next Steps: Senegal is expected to take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland, though a final verdict could take up to a year.This ruling marks Morocco’s first AFCON title since 1976 and has sparked intense debate over whether the trophy should be won in the stadium or the courtroom.