Patrice Evra: Former France defender blasts CAF over decision to declare Morocco AFCON champions

Former France international, Patrice Evra has waded into the Confederation of Africa Football’s decision to declare Morocco African champions over Senegal in its latest ruling.

The Appeals Committee of the continent’s football governing body declared 2025 AFCON hosts Morocco 3-0 winners over what it describes as “forfeiture” following Senegal’s decision to abandon the game late in extratime.

The Teranga Lions minus captain Sadio Mane walked off the pitch in protest of an extra-time penalty awarded to Morocco which Real Madrid forward Brahim Diaz squandered before Villarreal midfielder Pape Gueye’s late strike sealed Senegal’s second AFCON title.

Evra, who is of Senegal descent, expressed his shock, describing the ruling as “a disgrace for African football, a scandal.”

“It’s a disgrace for African football, a scandal,” said Patrice Evra.

“We’ve all seen that Senegal won. But why is no one talking about this referee? Where is he now?” Evra said in a video on his Instagram page.

CAF statement on the ruling stated that, the Senegal national team had breached Articles 82 and 84 of the Africa Cup of Nations regulations which stipulate: “if a team refuses to play or leaves the pitch before the end of the match without the referee’s permission, it shall be deemed to have forfeited the match”.

The ruling has generated heated debates across the globe and a visibly livid Evra

believes the decision is damaging to the image of African football.

“The Africa Cup of Nations has lost all credibility. Two months later, they announced that Morocco are champions… I thought it was an April Fool’s joke,” he quipped. “The real champions are Senegal, and they always will be.”
Senegal Football Federation has said that they will appeal the case at the Court of Arbitration for Sports [CAS] in the coming days.

Midfielder Ismaël Saibari who was found guilty of “unsportsmanlike” conduct in violation of articles 82 and 83(1) of the disciplinary code, had a reduced sanction of a two-match suspension in CAF competitions, one of which was suspended. The $100,000 fine imposed on him, however, was overturned.

The CAF’s decision does not entirely absolve 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.

The $100,000 penalty for interference around the VAR review area is upheld. Regarding the laser incident, the CAF has decided to reduce the penalty to $10,000.

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