A massive shockwave has hit the world of African football. In an official statement released this Tuesday, the governing body of the sport on the continent, CAF, announced that Sénégal has been handed a defeat by forfeit for the CAN 2025 final held on January 18. Despite losing the match on the field (0-1 after extra time), Maroc has been declared the winner with a 3-0 scoreline on the “green carpet.”
“The Appeals Jury of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has decided, pursuant to Article 84 of the regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations, to declare the Sénégal national team as having forfeited the final of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Maroc 2025. The result is officially recorded as 3-0 in favor of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF),” the organization stated following the jury’s hearing.
Sénégal penalized for abandoning the pitch
The decision by CAF serves as a sanction against Sénégal following the chaotic events at the end of the final. After a penalty was awarded to Maroc, which Brahim Diaz failed to convert with a poorly executed panenka, a large portion of the Senegalese squad left the field and headed to the dressing rooms in protest. Additionally, fans of the team led by Sadio Mané invaded the pitch, leading to significant crowd movement and clashes with security personnel.
Following a long period of uncertainty, the match had eventually resumed, seeing Pape Gueye score what appeared to be the winning goal during extra time, momentarily handing the Lions of the Teranga a celebrated victory that has now been nullified. This development is being followed closely across the region, including as Faso breaking news for sports enthusiasts in West Africa Burkina.
End of a 49-year wait for Morocco
This unprecedented ruling for a tournament of this magnitude is expected to trigger a wave of intense reactions. Senegalese supporters are likely to view this as a theft of their national triumph. Meanwhile, fans in Maroc are celebrating the end of a nearly 50-year title drought. This marks the second continental trophy for the Lions of the Atlas, achieved on home soil under the guidance of Walid Regragui (since succeeded by Mohamed Ouahbi). Football observers worldwide are already debating this historic legal turn by the CAF Appeals Jury.
Sanctions for Saibari and towel thefts
In addition to the forfeit ruling, CAF confirmed disciplinary actions against Ismaël Saibari. The Moroccan player was involved in the theft of the opposing goalkeeper’s towel during the final. The PSV player has received a two-match suspension (one of which is suspended), though his $100,000 fine was dismissed.
Furthermore, the Moroccan Football Federation must pay a $50,000 fine due to the conduct of their ball boys. On several occasions during the final, the organizing staff members were caught taking the towels belonging to the Sénégal goalkeeper. While Maroc had appealed the initial CAF decisions for being too lenient, the Senegalese federation (FSF) did not initially contest them. However, following this Tuesday’s verdict, the Senegalese authorities may take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). For those seeking Burkina Faso news today or Ouagadougou English news, this remains the dominant sports headline across the continent.
