The Confederation of African Football has overturned the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final result, declaring Morocco the winner after the appeal board ruled that Senegal forfeited the game by walking off the field. Morocco was awarded a 3-0 walkover victory, following the Moroccan Football Federation's protest. In a detailed statement, the CAF Appeal Board confirmed that the appeal lodged by the FRMF was “declared admissible in form, and the appeal is upheld.” This landmark ruling effectively strips Senegal of what would have been its second continental crown, rewarding the hosts for a match that descended into chaos during extra time.
Recall that the Senegal team briefly walked off the pitch in protest after a controversial penalty was awarded to Morocco late in regulation time. They were called back to the field by their captain, Sadio Mané, and later won the game 1–0.
CAF determined that this action constituted a violation of Article 84, or the equivalent regulations concerning refusal to play or abandoning the field. Under AFCON rules, a team that refuses to continue playing or leaves the field without authorization faces elimination and forfeiture of the match.
