The Confederation of African Football Appeal Board declared Morocco the champion of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday. Officials awarded the title following a successful appeal by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation. They applied Article 84 of the AFCON regulations and recorded the final as a 3-0 forfeit win for the hosts.
Senegal defeated Morocco 1-0 in extra time on January 18 in Rabat. Pape Gueye scored the winner. However Senegal players walked off the pitch in protest during stoppage time after a VAR decision. They returned and completed the match, but the incident led to disciplinary proceedings and repeated appeals from Morocco.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation lodged the protest citing Articles 82 and 84 of the regulations. Earlier disciplinary rulings had upheld Senegal as champions and imposed fines on both sides. Morocco continued the appeal process.
The CAF Appeal Board reviewed the case and found the appeal admissible. It upheld the protest in full. The board ruled that Senegal team conduct infringed Article 82. As a result, it set aside the previous CAF Disciplinary Board decision and declared the Senegal National Team forfeited the match.
Officials confirmed the result as 3-0 to the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football. The board dismissed all other motions. It also adjusted related sanctions, including reducing fines on Morocco and amending a suspension for player Ismael Saibari.
Morocco now holds the 2025 AFCON title as the first host nation to claim it through forfeiture. Senegal lost its chance at a second title in five years. The decision followed months of legal review and brings an official end to the dispute.
