Dakar, Senegal: Senegal have vowed to challenge CAF’s decision to award Morocco the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title, escalating the dispute to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in what is shaping up to be a landmark legal battle in African football.
The Confederation of African Football Appeal Board ruled on Tuesday that Senegal forfeited the final, overturning their 1-0 victory and awarding a 3-0 result in favour of Morocco.
CAF found that Senegal players breached Articles 82 and 84 of AFCON regulations after refusing to continue play following a controversial stoppage-time penalty awarded to Morocco.
The ruling declared Senegal to have forfeited the match, effectively handing the title to Morocco.
However, the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has strongly rejected the decision, describing it as unjust and damaging to African football.
“The Senegalese Football Federation denounces this unfair, unprecedented, and unacceptable decision, which discredits African football,” the federation said in a statement.
FSF confirmed it will formally challenge the ruling at CAS. “To defend its rights and the interests of Senegalese football, the Federation will initiate an appeal as soon as possible before CAS,” the statement added.
The dispute now moves from the field to Switzerland, where CAS will determine the legitimacy of CAF’s decision.
Senegal insist their original victory should stand, while CAF maintains that rules were correctly applied following the team’s refusal to continue the match.
The Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football defended its position, stating its appeal was based strictly on enforcing competition regulations.
The federation said its actions were “never intended to contest the sporting performance” but to ensure adherence to rules and stability in African competitions.
CAF’s ruling also addressed disciplinary matters from the chaotic final; where Morocco midfielder Ismaël Saibari received a reduced two-match suspension (one suspended), with a previous $100,000 fine scrapped, FRMF fined $50,000 over ball boys’ conduct, $100,000 fine for VAR interference upheld, and laser incident fine reduced to $10,000.
The case is expected to test CAF’s regulatory authority and could set a major precedent for how match forfeitures and player conduct disputes are handled in African football.
