TWO MONTHS after Senegal were crowned African champions, the result has been overturned and the match awarded to Morocco.
SunSport tries to explain the most bizarre decision in recent football history.
What happened?
Despite accepting defeat on the night, Morocco appealed the result, arguing that Senegal had “lost” the game when coach Pape Thiaw ordered his players off the pitch deep in stoppage time.
Senegal were furious at a VAR intervention adjudging West Ham’s El Hadji Malick Diouf had fouled Real Madrid’s Braham Diaz to concede a penalty.
Just minutes before, the Lions of Teranga could not believe a goal by Crystal Palace’s Ismaila Sarr had been ruled out for a timid push by a team-mate in the build-up.
Former Liverpool striker Sadio Mane, who did not leave the pitch, urged his team-mates to return.
When they did, Diaz missed his “Panenka” spot-kick before Pape Gueye scored the only goal in extra-time.
African football bosses confirmed the result despite fining and banning Thiaw and players from both sides but Morocco appealed.
Why was the result overturned?
The CAF appeal board agreed with Morocco that Senegal’s conduct had breached Articles 82 and 84 of the Afcon regulations.
Article 82 states that: “If for any reason, a team… refuses to play or leaves the ground before the regular end of the match without the authorisation of the referee it shall be considered the loser and eliminated for good from the competition.”
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And Article 84 adds: “The team which contravenes Article 82 shall be eliminated for good from the competition.”
Will Senegal have to give the trophy back?
Almost certainly. CAF has ruled that Senegal “forfeited” the match which has “now being recorded as 3–0 in favour of Morocco”.
Morocco are now, officially, the winners of Afcon 2025 (it was switched to this year but retained the original designation as it was due to be played last summer).
Will players – including Mane – have to give their medals back?
Absolutely. Morocco have been declared the champions and therefore their players will get the winners’ medals.
Senegal, though, have been nominally “eliminated” – so may not even get the runners-up medals in exchange.
It’s a hell of a mess and further damages the image of African football.
What about a Morocco trophy parade?
It might be difficult, although the players might be back together in their home country ahead of the World Cup.
They have two pre-tournament friendlies this month, against Ecuador in Madrid and Paraguay in Lens, France, but are not due to actually go home.
Coach Walid Regragui, who took them to the World Cup semi-finals in 2022, resigned earlier this month after taking the blame for failing to win the Afcon.
Theoretically, of course, there could be a trophy parade but the most likely opportunity would be either just before or AFTER the World Cup this summer.
Has this ever happened before?
Yes, but not with such a prestigious prize on the line.
In 2024, Uefa awarded Romania a 3-0 Nations League win over Kosovo when their opponents walked off in the final minute after accusing fans of “discriminatory behaviour”.
Can Senegal appeal?
Yes, but not to anyone in Africa.
CAF’s Appeal Board is the last authority and so the decision is final and binding as far as the Confederation is concerned.
But Senegal can appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, based in Lausanne, Switzerland, which remains the ultimate body to handle sporting disputes.
