Morocco has been declared the Africa Cup of Nations champion after the Confederation of African Football’s appeals board overturned Senegal’s 1-0 extra-time victory in the Jan. 18 final in Rabat. CAF said the panel ruled Senegal had forfeited the match and converted the on-field 1-0 result into a 3-0 default win for hosts Morocco.
Senegal’s federation said it would appeal the decision, without specifying the forum; the most likely option is the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland. An appeal to CAS could take about a year, meaning the matter would probably be unresolved long after both nations participate in the 2026 World Cup in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
The final erupted in controversy when a penalty was awarded to Morocco in stoppage time. Senegal players, led by coach Pape Thiaw, walked off the field in protest for roughly 15 minutes while some fans tried to enter the pitch. Play eventually resumed; Morocco’s Brahim Díaz stepped up to take the penalty with a Panenka-style chip that was saved by Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy. Senegal then scored the only goal of extra time.
Tensions had been building earlier when a Senegal goal deep in second-half stoppage time was disallowed for a foul on Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi by Abdoulaye Seck, a call that television replays suggested involved only minimal contact. Reports said players returned to the field after urging from Senegal captain Sadio Mané.
At an initial disciplinary hearing, CAF levied more than $1 million in fines and issued bans for players and officials from both teams but left the match result intact. The appeals panel cited tournament regulations—article 82—which state that a team that refuses to play or leaves the field before the regular end of the match without the referee’s permission shall be considered the loser and eliminated.
Senegalese Football Federation secretary general Abdoulaye Seydou Sow called the ruling a travesty and said he would file an appeal. Several Senegal players reacted on social media, with defender Moussa Niakhaté posting a photo holding the trophy and others expressing disbelief.
Observers noted the appeals verdict appeared to override on-field decisions by the referee and effectively changed the outcome after the match had been completed. The decision awards Morocco its first Africa Cup title since 1976 and strips Senegal of what would have been its second AFCON crown and a second within three editions after their 2021 triumph.
If CAS is involved, any final resolution likely will come well after the 2026 World Cup. For that tournament, Senegal is drawn with France, Norway and a playoff winner, while Morocco will face Brazil, Scotland and Haiti, with Morocco scheduled to open against Brazil at MetLife Stadium. Morocco, whose coach Walid Regragui resigned two weeks after the tournament amid criticism over the result, will enter the World Cup listed as African champion unless Senegal succeeds on appeal.