On January 19, 2026, Senegal defeated Morocco 1-0 in extra time to win the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final. Morocco filed a complaint after the match accusing Senegal of abandoning the game. On March 18, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) officially announced that Senegal was deemed to have abandoned the final, and the result was revised to a 3-0 victory for Morocco!
Official Announcement:
The CAF Appeal Board ruled that, in accordance with Article 84 of the Africa Cup of Nations Regulations, the Senegal national team was deemed to have abandoned the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, and the match result was recorded as a 3-0 victory for Morocco.
Regarding the appeal filed by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation concerning the application of Articles 82 and 84 of the Africa Cup of Nations Regulations, the CAF Appeal Board made the following rulings:
The appeal filed by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation was formally admissible and the appeal was upheld.
The previous ruling made by the CAF Disciplinary Board was revoked.
The CAF Appeal Board further determined that the actions of the Senegal national team fell within the scope of Articles 82 and 84 of the Africa Cup of Nations Regulations.
The complaint filed by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation was upheld.
It was determined that the Senegalese Football Federation, through the actions of its team, violated Article 82 of the Africa Cup of Nations Regulations.
In accordance with Article 84 of the Africa Cup of Nations Regulations, the Senegal national team was deemed to have abandoned the match, and the result was recorded as a 3-0 victory for Morocco.
All other motions or requests were dismissed.
The CAF Appeal Board also made the following rulings:
Regarding the appeal of Abdelhamid Sabiri, player number 11 of the Morocco national team:
Partially upheld.
The disciplinary finding against Abdelhamid Sabiri, player number 11 of the Morocco national team, was maintained, as his actions violated Article 82 and Article 83 Paragraph 1 of the CAF Disciplinary Code.
The sanction against Sabiri was adjusted to: a two-match ban from official CAF competitions, with one match suspended.
The $100,000 fine imposed on Abdelhamid Sabiri, player number 11 of the Morocco national team, was revoked.
Regarding the appeal concerning the ball boy incident:
Partially upheld.
The finding that the Royal Moroccan Football Federation was responsible for the actions of the ball boys during the match was maintained.
The fine imposed on the Royal Moroccan Football Federation for the ball boy incident was reduced to $50,000.
The appeal concerning the disturbance around the Video Assistant Referee review area was dismissed.The decision to impose a $100,000 fine on the Royal Moroccan Football Federation for the disturbance around the Video Assistant Referee review area was maintained.
Regarding the appeal concerning the laser pointer incident:
Partially upheld.
The fine imposed on the Royal Moroccan Football Federation for the laser pointer incident was reduced to $10,000.
All other motions or requests were dismissed.
Recap of the Africa Cup of Nations Final Abandonment Incident:
In the Africa Cup of Nations final between Senegal and Morocco, the referee disallowed a Senegal goal near the end of regular time. Shortly after, Brahim Diaz was brought down by a Senegal player inside the penalty area, and the referee awarded a penalty kick to Morocco.
The Senegal players were furious, and their head coach led the team off the field in protest. Sadio Mane persuaded his teammates to return to the pitch, allowing the match to continue.
Brahim Diaz then took a panenka penalty kick which was saved by Edouard Mendy. Senegal scored the winning goal in extra time to claim the title.
