The CAF Appeal Board has overturned the result of the AFCON 2025 final, ruling that Senegal forfeited the match and awarding a 3-0 victory and the continental title to Morocco, while also revising several sanctions against players and the Moroccan federation.
The Appeal Board issued a detailed media statement confirming that Senegal have forfeited the AFCON Morocco 2025 final, with the match now officially recorded as a 3-0 win in favour of the Federation Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF). In its ruling, the Board stated that, "in application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Senegal National Team is declared to have forfeited the Final Match," and that the result is consequently registered as 3-0 to Morocco.
The decision follows an appeal lodged by the FRMF, which the Board described as "admissible in form", adding that "the appeal is upheld" and that the earlier CAF Disciplinary Board decision has been set aside. This dramatic turnaround strips Senegal of the title they celebrated after the chaotic final in Rabat, handing Morocco their first AFCON crown on home soil, but by regulatory ruling rather than goals on the pitch.
Fans who watched Senegal lift the trophy will now see the history books rewritten, with Morocco officially crowned champions. The Board blamed Senegal’s team conduct for breaching key AFCON rules, essentially walking off the pitch in protest during the heated showdown.
On the sanctions front, Morocco’s Ismael Saibari keeps his misconduct finding but sees his ban cut to just two CAF matches (one suspended) and his USD 100,000 fine wiped out. Morocco’s federation escapes with lighter fines: USD 50,000 for the ball boys’ antics (down from higher), USD 10,000 for the laser pointer incident, but they must still pay USD 100,000 for VAR area interference.
In short, the Appeal Board has drawn a line under the controversy, declaring Morocco AFCON 2025 winners and closing the book on one of the tournament’s most explosive finals. The decision leaves Senegal empty-handed and Morocco celebrating a title that feels more like a courtroom victory than a football triumph.
