Senegal rejects CAF verdict awarding AFCON title to Morocco, heads to arbitration court

The row over the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final has escalated, with the Senegalese Football Federation rejecting a controversial decision by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to award the title to Morocco.

CAF’s Appeals Board ruled that Senegal forfeited the final after their players walked off the pitch during the closing stages of the match in Rabat, officially recording a 3–0 win in favour of Morocco.

“The Senegal national team is declared to have forfeited the final match… with the result recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football,” the governing body said.

The dramatic incident followed heated protests by Senegalese players over a disallowed goal and a penalty awarded to the hosts, prompting a temporary walk-off that ultimately shaped CAF’s decision.

Reacting in a strongly worded statement, the Senegalese Football Federation confirmed it had received the Appeals Committee’s verdict delivered on March 17, 2026, but firmly rejected its outcome.

The body noted that CAF upheld Morocco’s appeal on the basis that the Royal Moroccan Football Federation was not given a fair hearing during earlier proceedings.

However, Senegal described the ruling as “unjust” and damaging to the credibility of African football, insisting it would not accept the decision without a fight.

The federation announced it will take the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), seeking to overturn what it called an unprecedented verdict.