Morocco have been officially declared champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations following a dramatic ruling by the Confederation of African Football Appeal Board, which awarded them a 3-0 victory after Senegal forfeited the final.
The decision overturns an earlier judgment by CAF’s Disciplinary Board, coming after a formal protest lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).
According to CAF, Senegal breached Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON regulations through the conduct of its team during the final. The Appeal Board upheld Morocco’s claims, ruling that the infractions warranted a forfeiture and confirming the North African side as tournament winners.
The board specifically found the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF) guilty of violations under Article 82, sealing the outcome in Morocco’s favour and bringing an end to one of the most contentious finals in AFCON history.
In a related decision, Moroccan midfielder Ismaël Saibari was sanctioned for misconduct. His initial punishment was reduced to a two-match suspension one of which is suspended while a previously imposed $100,000 fine was scrapped.
CAF also ruled on several off-field incidents involving Morocco. The federation was held accountable for the actions of ball boys, with the fine reduced to $50,000. A separate $100,000 fine for interference near the VAR review area was upheld, while another sanction related to a laser incident was lowered to $10,000.
All other appeals and motions were dismissed, bringing closure to the dispute.
The ruling not only hands Morocco their second AFCON title—adding to their 1976 triumph—but also reshapes recent tournament history, where Senegal were champions in 2021 and had initially contested the 2025 final.