CAF Strips Senegal of AFCON Title; Team Files CAS Appeal

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially taken away Senegal’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title, giving the championship to Morocco. This decision came after CAF determined that Senegal broke competition rules during the final.

In response, the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to contest this decision.

What Happened in the AFCON 2025 Final?

The AFCON 2025 final occurred on January 18, 2026, in Rabat, Morocco. Senegal defeated Morocco 1-0 in extra time with a goal from Pape Gueye. Near the end of stoppage time, a penalty was awarded to Morocco, which led to a walk-off protest by Senegal’s players that lasted over 15 minutes.

They returned to finish the match, but CAF later ruled that this protest counted as match abandonment. This action violated Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON Regulations.

CAF’s Appeal Board’s decision on March 17, 2026, overturned Senegal’s on-field victory and officially awarded Morocco the continental title.

Senegal Football Federation Reacts

In a statement, the Senegalese Football Federation criticized CAF’s ruling as unfair and unacceptable. They argued that it undermines the integrity of African football. The FSF confirmed it would appeal to CAS in Lausanne, Switzerland, aiming to restore the original match result.

“The Senegalese Football Federation condemns this unjust, unprecedented, and unacceptable decision, which brings African football into disrepute,” the federation said, according to reports. It emphasizes its commitment to pursuing justice.

CAF’s Ruling and Regulations

CAF referenced its disciplinary guidelines, indicating that any team leaving the field without referee permission is viewed as having abandoned the match. This rule enables CAF to award a 3-0 forfeit win to the opposing team.

While CAF initially dismissed Morocco’s complaint after the final, the Appeal Board’s review later changed the original ruling.

Reactions Across African Football

The ruling has split opinions throughout the continent. Senegal argues that the referee’s choice to resume play during the protest validated the match outcome. On the other hand, Morocco appreciates the official recognition of its title.

Analysts point out that this case could establish a precedent for handling disciplinary issues in African football tournaments, especially concerning team protests and match disputes.

Implications for AFCON 2025 and African Football

• Title Reallocation: Morocco now officially holds the AFCON 2025 championship, while Senegal waits for CAS’s review for a possible reversal.
• Legal Precedent: The CAS proceedings may clarify how walk-off incidents are dealt with in CAF competitions.
• Football Governance Debate: This situation has revived discussions regarding CAF’s disciplinary consistency and transparency in managing African football.

Next Steps

The CAS appeal process is expected to take several months, during which the African football community will closely monitor the outcome.

The decision will determine the rightful 2025 AFCON champions and could impact how CAF enforces its disciplinary rules in future tournaments.