Morocco have been officially declared champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) following a decision by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeal Board to award them the final after Senegal were ruled to have forfeited the match.
The decision comes after CAF determined that Senegal breached tournament regulations during the final, leading to the game being recorded as a 3–0 victory in favour of Morocco.
The ruling overturned an earlier decision, with the Appeal Board siding with the Moroccan Football Federation after it lodged a formal complaint over the circumstances surrounding the final.
The controversial outcome brings an end to a chaotic finale that had been marred by disputes and uncertainty, ultimately handing Morocco the continental title without the match being decided on the pitch.
CAF, in its ruling, maintained that adherence to tournament regulations remains paramount, stressing that any violations would attract strict sanctions to preserve the integrity of the competition.
Morocco’s triumph, though overshadowed by the circumstances, secures their place as African champions, while Senegal face the consequences of breaching established rules governing the tournament.
