Morocco have been declared the winners of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after the Confederation of African Soccer (Caf) overturned the results of the ultimate following Senegal’s controversial walk-off.
Senegal beat Morocco 1-0 within the ultimate on 18 January in a match which was overshadowed when the Senegalese gamers refused to play after the hosts had been awarded a stoppage-time penalty with the match goalless.
Following a delay of round 17 minutes, the gamers did ultimately return and Brahim Diaz’s penalty was saved earlier than Senegal’s Pape Gueye scored an extra-time winner.
Nonetheless, that consequence has now been overturned after a choice by an enchantment board at African soccer’s governing physique.
An announcement from Caf mentioned that Senegal are “declared to have forfeited the ultimate match” with the “results of the match being recorded as 3-0 in favour” of Morocco.
The choice follows an enchantment by Moroccan FA (FRMF) which Caf mentioned is “declared admissible in type” and was upheld.
Caf added that “by the conduct of its group” Senegal infringed on Article 82 of rules of the Africa Cup of Nations and in consequence Article 84 grew to become relevant.
Article 82 states that if a group refuses to play or leaves the bottom earlier than the top of regulation time with out the referee’s authorisation, it will likely be thought of the loser and eradicated from the competitors.
Article 84 enhances this provision, stating that any group that violates Articles 82 can be completely eradicated and can lose the match 3-0.
An announcement from FRMF mentioned that their determination to enchantment the ultimate consequence was “by no means meant to problem the sporting efficiency of the groups” however was a request for the “software of the competitors’s rules”.
“The federation reaffirms its dedication to respecting the foundations, guaranteeing readability within the aggressive framework, and sustaining stability inside African competitions,” the FRMF assertion added.
“It additionally needs to commend all of the nations that took half on this version of the Afcon, which has been a significant second for African soccer.”
The Senegalese Soccer Federation has but to remark however a video was posted on the X account of their males’s nationwide group, exterior of their gamers celebrating on a bus parade with the Afcon trophy and an ‘OK’ emoji.
Maher Mezahi, a North African soccer journalist, instructed BBC Radio 5 Stay that the choice to overturn the consequence won’t change the emotional impression of what unfolded on the pitch for individuals who witnessed it.
“We can’t erase the ultimate 16 minutes of that match and what we noticed,” he mentioned.
“We can’t erase the emotions of seeing Senegal elevate the trophy and the gamers going dwelling with the medal and them having a parade.”
