The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially declared Morocco as the winner of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), following a ruling by its Appeal Board after months of controversy.
The decision, announced on Tuesday, came after CAF upheld a complaint filed by Morocco, ruling that Senegal forfeited the final match by walking off the pitch during play. As a result, Morocco was awarded a 3-0 victory via walkover.
The controversy stemmed from a dramatic incident in the final, when Senegal players temporarily left the field in protest over a late penalty awarded to Morocco. Although the team later returned—led by captain Sadio Mané—and went on to win the match 1-0, CAF ruled that the initial walkout violated tournament regulations.
According to CAF, the action breached rules governing refusal to play or abandonment of a match, which carry strict penalties, including forfeiture. The governing body cited Article 84 in its ruling, emphasizing that any team that leaves the field without authorization risks disqualification.
The decision brings a definitive end to the dispute, officially crowning Morocco as AFCON 2025 champions.
