AFCON 2025: CAF Appeals Board awards title to Morocco in unprecedented decision

A bombshell has dropped in African football. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has made a far-reaching decision regarding the final of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025), declaring that initial champions Senegal’s victory has been forfeited to award the victory to hosts Morocco with a score of 3-0.

The CAF Appeal Board decided that in application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Senegal National Team is declared to have forfeited the Final Match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 (“the Match”),…

— CAF Media (@CAF_Media) March 17, 2026

More on CAF’s decision to declare forfeit in AFCON 2025 final

Following an appeal by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), the CAF Appeals Committee deemed the appeal admissible on procedural grounds and well-founded on its merits. It thus overturned the initial decision of the Disciplinary Committee, finding that the Senegalese team’s conduct should be sanctioned according to Articles 82 and 84 of the tournament’s regulations.

Consequently, the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) was found to have violated the rules due to its team’s behavior during the final. The sanction was immediate and decisive: Senegal was declared the loser by forfeit, and the match was awarded to the hosts with a score of 3-0, thus granting them the continental title.

The disciplinary proceedings didn’t end with the final. The case of midfielder Ismaël Saibari was also reviewed on appeal. Found guilty of unsportsmanlike conduct in violation of articles 82 and 83(1) of the disciplinary code, the player nevertheless saw his sanction reduced.

Initially heavily penalized, Saibari ultimately received a two-match suspension in CAF competitions, one of which is suspended. The $100,000 fine imposed on him, however, was overturned.

The decision does not entirely spare the Moroccan federation. It is found responsible for the ball boys’ behavior during the match. However, the fine related to this incident has been reduced to $50,000.

On the other hand, the $100,000 penalty for interference around the VAR review zone (OFR) is upheld. Regarding the laser incident, CAF decided to reduce the fine to $10,000.

Rarely has an Africa Cup of Nations final had such an outcome. This verdict, handed down on appeal, completely reshapes the sporting outcome of the competition and is likely to provoke numerous reactions across the continent.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is translated from the original written in French by Omar Chraibi for Pan-Africa Football.