CAF Appeal Board Overturns Senegal’s 1-0 AFCON 2025 Final Victory, Hands Morocco 3-0 Win Over Walk-Off Breach
Senegal Storms CAF Verdict, Drags AFCON 2025 Final Saga to Court of Arbitration for Sport
Senegal have fiercely rejected CAF’s shock decision to overturn their AFCON final triumph and are now heading to CAS in a high-stakes legal battle to reclaim the title.
CAF’s Appeal Board dramatically scrapped Senegal’s 1-0 victory over Morocco, instead handing Morocco a 3-0 win after ruling that Senegal violated regulations by briefly walking off the pitch during the match.
The Senegalese Football Federation blasted the ruling as “unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable,” warning it damages the credibility of African football while vowing to fight for justice.
In a strongly worded statement, the federation confirmed it will immediately file an appeal at CAS in Lausanne, insisting it will defend both its rights and the integrity of the game.
The controversy erupted after Senegal players staged a brief walk-off in protest of a late penalty decision in favour of Morocco. Though they returned and secured victory on the pitch, CAF ruled the act constituted a breach of its regulations grounds for forfeiture.
Defending its stance, CAF maintained that its rules are clear and must be applied consistently, stressing that the decision followed established disciplinary procedures.
The ruling has ignited fierce debate across the football world, with critics warning that overturning a final result after full-time could set a dangerous precedent.
Morocco have backed CAF’s decision, insisting their appeal was about upholding the rules.
With the case now headed to CAS, the fate of the 2025 AFCON title may ultimately be decided in the courtroom not on the pitch.