The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) Appeal Board has dramatically overturned the result of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 final, declaring Senegal to have forfeited the match.
Invoking Article 84 of the competition regulations, CAF ruled that the Senegal national football team forfeited the final, with the result officially recorded as a 3–0 victory in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).
The decision followed an appeal lodged by the Moroccan federation, challenging the earlier ruling of the CAF Disciplinary Board.
The Appeal Board upheld the protest, set aside the initial decision, and determined that Senegal’s conduct fell within violations of Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON regulations.
As a result, the protest filed by the FRMF was successful, with CAF confirming that the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF) breached Article 82 through the actions of its team, leading to the forfeiture ruling.
In additional rulings, the Appeal Board partially upheld an appeal concerning Moroccan player Ismaël Saibari.
He was found guilty of misconduct under Articles 82 and 83(1) of the CAF Disciplinary Code, but his punishment was reduced to a two-match suspension, with one match suspended, while a previously imposed $100,000 fine was overturned
CAF also addressed several off-field incidents involving Morocco.
The federation was held responsible for the conduct of ball boys, though the associated fine was reduced to $50,000.
A separate $100,000 fine for interference around the VAR review area was upheld, while a sanction related to a laser incident was reduced to $10,000.
All other appeals and requests were dismissed by the Appeal Board, bringing closure to one of the most controversial finals in recent AFCON history.
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