- Moroccans celebrate in the streets shortly after the CAF Appeal Board overturned Senegal’s victory in the AFCON 2025 final
- The board ruled that Senegal forfeited the match after going out and thus awarded Morocco a 3-0 win in the game
- The country’s Football Federation has accepted the decision while Senegal considers the next step
Morocco erupted in joy shortly after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeals Board awarded them the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title.
Source: Getty Images
On January 18, Morocco lost to Senegal 1-0 after extra time on home soil in Rabat, but that alone doesn’t even begin the story of everything that followed.
Senegal left the field protesting after Morocco was awarded a late penalty. It took the persuasive skills of Sadio Mane to get his teammates back on the pitch.
Brahim Diaz ended up missing the penalty, forcing the game into extra time, where Pape Gueye’s strike was the difference between the two teams.
Why was Morocco awarded the 2025 AFCON Cup
However, Morocco recently filed a case with the CAF Disciplinary Board, insisting that they should have been awarded the game after Senegal’s exit. The Disciplinary Board rejected Morocco’s request, but the North Africans moved to the Appeals Board.
It was in the Appeals Board that their request was accepted. The board gave a decision that by going out, Senegal had lost the game and thus announced the losers.
“According to Article 84 of the Rules of the Africa Cup of Nations, the Senegalese team has been declared to have lost the match, with the result being recorded as 3-0 in favor of the Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF)”
The fines previously issued by the Disciplinary Board against Morocco were removed or reduced.
Morocco celebrates after CAF’s decision on AFCON 2025
Following the decision on Tuesday evening, scenes of jubilation broke out across Morocco as drivers shouted and displayed the country’s flag despite the rain.
The Football Confederation accepted CAF’s decision after the Appeals Board met on March 17, but declined to comment on the decision until later.
Fans online reacted to the decision with Achour Mohammed saying,
“We will celebrate with our players, and we deserve it. Thanks to the King for not losing our right”
Ifee said,
“This is the worst thing I have ever seen in the world of football.”
Earl Pulse said,
“Well, Morocco only celebrates the victory of AFCON, the world celebrated the victory of Senegal.”
With Billy PMS saying,
“This is crazy. Tomorrow, Senegal is going to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to appeal the decision then….Senegal are champions again while the matter is on appeal.”
Source: Getty Images
What Senegal can do after CAF’s decision on AFCON 2025
We have also reported on the steps that Senegal can take after CAF stripped them of the title AFCON 2025.
The country’s federation has already issued a statement condemning the CAF decision.
Senegal now has the legal option of submitting an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)
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