By Kunle Solaja.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeal Board has awarded the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title to the Morocco national football team after ruling that the Senegal national football team forfeited the final match of the tournament.

In a landmark decision announced on Wednesday, the CAF Appeal Board invoked Article 84 of the AFCON Regulations to declare Senegal to have forfeited the final played at the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025, with the result officially recorded as 3–0 in favour of Morocco.

The ruling followed an appeal lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football, challenging the earlier decision of CAF’s Disciplinary Board.

Appeal Upheld, Earlier Decision Overturned

CAF confirmed that Morocco’s appeal was admissible and upheld, leading to the overturning of the Disciplinary Board’s initial ruling.

The Appeal Board found that the conduct of the Senegal team fell within the scope of Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON Regulations, and that the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football, through its team’s actions, had breached the competition rules.

As a result:

• Senegal was declared to have forfeited the final match
• Morocco was awarded a 3–0 victory
• All other claims by Senegal were dismissed

Sanctions and Additional Rulings

The CAF Appeal Board also issued several decisions relating to incidents during the final:

Player Misconduct

• Moroccan midfielder Ismaël Saibari was found guilty of misconduct.
• His punishment was reduced to a two-match suspension, with one match suspended.
• A previously imposed $100,000 fine was cancelled.

Ball Boys Incident

• Morocco was held responsible for the conduct of the ball boys.
• The fine was reduced to $50,000.

VAR/Referee Interference

• The Appeal Board upheld a $100,000 fine against Morocco for interference around the VAR review area.

Laser Incident

• The fine imposed on Morocco was reduced to $10,000.

All other appeals and motions were dismissed.

Major Implications

The decision represents one of the most dramatic rulings in AFCON history, effectively overturning the outcome of a continental final through regulatory enforcement.

By applying Articles 82 and 84, CAF reinforced its position on disciplinary compliance and match conduct, with the forfeiture ruling handing Morocco the title without the need for a replay.

The ruling also underscores CAF’s willingness to impose severe sanctions, including match forfeiture, where teams are found to have breached competition regulations.

Final Outcome

• Morocco: Declared AFCON 2025 champions (3–0 awarded win)
• Senegal: Final forfeited due to regulatory breaches

The decision brings a definitive end to the dispute surrounding the AFCON 2025 final, with Morocco officially crowned champions of Africa.

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Morocco’s Public Prosecutor’s Office has firmly rejected allegations of unjustified delays and poor detention conditions in the ongoing case involving Senegalese football supporters arrested after unrest linked to a recent continental fixture in Rabat.

In an official clarification, judicial authorities described circulating claims as “unfounded,” insisting that the legal proceedings have been conducted in accordance with Moroccan law and international standards.

The Public Prosecutor’s Office categorically denied any suggestion that the case has been deliberately delayed. Authorities stated that all procedural timelines have been respected and that adjournments were made strictly within the framework of due process.

According to the statement, postponements of hearings were granted at the request of the defendants themselves to allow adequate time to prepare their defence and to ensure the presence of their legal representatives.

Judicial officials also dismissed reports alleging that the detainees were on hunger strike. They confirmed that the accused are receiving their meals regularly and that detention conditions comply with applicable regulations.

“The rumours suggesting otherwise are without basis,” the statement noted.

Authorities explained that one of the hearings was attended by a lawyer registered with a Bar Association in France. However, the absence of a consultation office in Morocco, coupled with the defendants’ preference to be tried in the presence of their chosen lawyers, led to a postponement of the hearing until February 12, 2026.

The Public Prosecutor’s Office emphasised that these postponements were legitimate and aimed at safeguarding the defendants’ right to a fair trial.

Translation and Language Support

In response to concerns about language barriers, the court confirmed that it provided a sworn French-language interpreter during proceedings. French is reportedly mastered by all defendants.

Additionally, authorities coordinated with the Deputy Consul of Senegal in Morocco to make available an interpreter in Wolof, the defendants’ mother tongue, further ensuring that they fully understood the proceedings.

Officials also clarified that Moroccan law does not require the presence of an interpreter during the preliminary investigation phase if the judicial police officer understands the language of the individual concerned, provided that official reports are read and explained to them.

The Moroccan authorities reiterated their commitment to transparency, due process and the protection of the rights of all foreign nationals within the kingdom.

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A Moroccan court on Thursday sentenced 18 Senegalese football supporters to prison terms ranging from three to 12 months after finding them guilty of hooliganism during last month’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final.

The supporters had been in pre-trial detention since 18 January, the day Senegal defeated hosts Morocco 1–0 in a tense and controversial final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.

According to the court’s ruling, nine of the defendants received one-year prison sentences and were fined 5,000 Moroccan dirhams (approximately $545). Six others were handed six-month terms alongside fines of 2,000 dirhams (about $218), while three supporters were sentenced to three months in prison and fined 1,000 dirhams (around $109).

Prosecutors had sought a maximum penalty of two years, arguing that the accused “deliberately sought to disrupt the proper conduct of the match” and engaged in “acts of violence broadcast live on television.”

Chaos at the Final

The AFCON final was overshadowed by dramatic scenes late in regulation time following a contentious penalty awarded to Morocco after a VAR review. Senegalese players protested the decision vehemently, surrounding the referee and causing play to be halted for nearly 20 minutes.

Amid the tension, some Senegalese supporters reportedly attempted to invade the pitch, while others threw objects — including chairs — onto the field. Players from both sides temporarily left the pitch before returning after intervention from security officials and match authorities.

Authorities said their case was supported by stadium surveillance footage and medical reports detailing injuries sustained by security personnel during the unrest.

However, defence lawyers rejected the charges and described the sentences as excessive.

“The footage does not contain irrefutable proof showing that any one of them struck or assaulted anyone,” defence counsel Naima El Guellaf told the court.

Another lawyer, Patrick Kabou, called the verdict “incomprehensible,” arguing that his clients were “victims” rather than perpetrators. The defence team has confirmed plans to file an appeal.

The ruling comes as football authorities continue to grapple with the fallout from a final that, despite Senegal’s historic victory, was overshadowed by controversy both on and off the pitch.

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