The government of Senegal has called for an independent international inquiry into what it described as suspected corruption within African football’s governing body after the country was stripped of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title and the trophy reassigned to Morocco.
The government of Senegal has called for an independent international inquiry into what it described as suspected corruption within African football’s governing body after the country was stripped of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title and the trophy reassigned to Morocco.
Senegal had originally secured a 1-0 victory over Morocco in January’s final. However, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) later overturned the outcome, citing events late in the match when Senegal’s players temporarily left the pitch in protest after a stoppage-time penalty was awarded to the hosts.
The team eventually returned following a 17-minute interruption. Morocco’s Brahim Diaz saw his Panenka-style penalty saved, and Senegal’s Pape Gueye went on to score the decisive goal in extra time. Despite this, CAF ruled in favour of Morocco after an appeal by the Moroccan Football Federation, declaring the match forfeited and officially recording a 3-0 result.
In a strongly worded statement, Senegal’s government described the decision as “unprecedented” and “exceptionally serious,” arguing it stemmed from a clear misreading of the regulations and resulted in what it called an unlawful and deeply unfair outcome. Officials insisted the country firmly rejects what they view as an unjust attempt to take away their title.
Morocco’s football federation welcomed CAF's ruling, stating it reinforces adherence to rules essential for the proper functioning of international competitions. It added that the decision provides clarity for handling similar incidents in the future and strengthens the credibility of African football.
CAF president Patrice Motsepe defended the governing body’s stance, saying the incidents during the final undermined efforts to uphold integrity, ethics, and trust in the sport. He stressed that CAF's disciplinary and appeals decisions must be respected and insisted no nation would receive preferential treatment.
Meanwhile, the Senegalese Football Federation announced plans to challenge the verdict at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, describing it as unfair, unprecedented, and damaging to the reputation of African football. Secretary General Abdoulaye Seydou Sow claimed the ruling lacked legal grounding and suggested the process had been influenced by external factors, adding that Senegal would pursue the matter to the end.
Some players have also voiced defiance, with midfielder Idrissa Gueye stating that their experience in Rabat cannot be taken away, regardless of official decisions.
The walk-off occurred after referee Jean Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a penalty in the 98th minute following a VAR review of a challenge involving El Hadji Malick Diouf and Brahim Diaz. The decision came shortly after Senegal had a goal disallowed, prompting most of their players to leave the field, although Sadio Mane remained.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino condemned the act of leaving the pitch in protest, calling it unacceptable and stating such behaviour must not be repeated. In response to the incident, the International Football Association Board has begun consultations on how to address similar situations in future matches.
The final was already surrounded by tension, with debates over refereeing decisions and VAR usage throughout the tournament. Some journalists suggested Morocco may have benefited from favourable calls, while Senegal had earlier raised concerns about their treatment and security arrangements upon arrival in Rabat.
Additional controversy arose from off-field incidents during the match, including ball boys interfering with Senegal’s goalkeeper and an altercation involving substitute goalkeeper Yehvann Diouf. CAF partially upheld an appeal related to these events and reduced sanctions previously imposed on Morocco, including fines for crowd behaviour such as laser use.
Former CAF disciplinary head Raymond Hack questioned the handling of the situation, pointing out that the referee allowed play to continue into extra time, which indicated acceptance of the match proceeding. He argued that only the referee has the authority to abandon a game and warned that overturning results in such circumstances could set a problematic precedent.
Hack also suggested Morocco should have formally declared they were playing under protest if they intended to challenge the result. He noted that the appeal process at the Court of Arbitration for Sport could take up to six months.
Reaction across Africa has been mixed. While celebrations were reported in Morocco following the ruling, some observers elsewhere on the continent expressed frustration, arguing that such decisions damage the image of African football. Comparisons were drawn with previous controversial rulings, including past disciplinary actions that were later overturned.
Although players leaving the field in protest is not new in football, the severity of the sanction imposed in this case is unusual. Historical examples include Czechoslovakia’s withdrawal during the 1920 Olympic final, Lille’s temporary walk-off against Manchester United in 2007, and AC Milan abandoning a friendly in 2013 due to racist abuse.
Other notable incidents include a Champions League match in 2020 where players from both teams left the pitch over alleged racist remarks by an official and a Turkish Super Cup match in 2024 where Fenerbahçe walked off shortly after kickoff. In most cases, penalties involved fines, replays, or forfeits, but rarely decisions as consequential as overturning a completed final.
More recently, a similar protest occurred during the 2026 Cameroonian Super Cup, where a team left the field following a disputed penalty, with the outcome still pending.
