AFCON 2025 title snatched
CAF stripped Senegal of the 2025 AFCON crown and formally awarded the title to Morocco — reversing the on-field 1-0 extra-time result and recording a 3-0 decision after an appeal about players leaving the pitch. The decision has sparked heavy backlash: Senegal’s Idrissa Gueye said he’d ‘hand back’ medals if it calms tensions, and Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi publicly rejected the awarded title while Senegal prepares to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. (softfootball.com) (beinsports.com)
The CAF Appeal Board published its media statement on 17 March 2026 and said it had set aside the earlier Disciplinary Board ruling while finding the Senegal team’s conduct fell within Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON regulations. (cafonline.com)) The appeal by Morocco’s federation (FRMF) was declared admissible and upheld by the Appeals Board, which also said an appeal concerning Morocco player Ismaël Saibari was partially upheld. (cafonline.com)) The final had been played on 18 January 2026 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, where Pape Gueye scored in the 94th minute and a stoppage-time penalty by Brahim Díaz was missed and saved by Édouard Mendy during the match’s late chaos. (cafonline.com)) The Senegalese Football Federation described the Appeals Board decision as “iniquitous, unprecedented and unacceptable” and confirmed it will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne “as soon as possible.” (pulsesports.ng)) Public backlash has extended beyond federations: the Senegalese government publicly called for an inquiry and accused CAF of corruption, while former Liberian president and football icon George Weah condemned the Appeals Board ruling. (independent.co.uk)) Legal experts and multiple outlets note the next formal step is Senegal’s appeal to CAS in Lausanne, where the federation has lodged its intent to contest the Appeals Board decision under sports arbitration procedures. (indianexpress.com))
