CAF Throws Out Morocco’s Protest To Strip Senegal Of AFCON Title For Misconduct During Final

CAF Rejects Morocco Protest As Senegal Keep AFCON Title

CAF has decisively rejected Morocco’s protest seeking to overturn the Africa Cup of Nations final, confirming that Senegal remain champions and that no aspect of the 2025 AFCON final result will be altered.

The Confederation of African Football has ruled that the final scoreline stands in full.
There will be no replay. No review. No reassessment of the outcome.

Senegal’s 1–0 victory over Morocco in the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 final remains intact, despite the controversy that followed the dramatic ending in Rabat. The trophy stays with Senegal. The verdict is final.

The decision was confirmed on Wednesday, 28 January 2026, when CAF published the outcome of its disciplinary proceedings and delivered a firm response to Morocco’s formal protest.

CAF Rejects Morocco Protest In Clear Terms

CAF confirmed that the protest lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF), which alleged regulatory breaches by Senegal during the final, had been dismissed after review.

In its official communication, CAF stated:

“The CAF Disciplinary Board rejected the protest lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football regarding alleged violations by the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football of Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations, relating to the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Final.”

CAF went further, making it clear that the disciplinary process had no bearing on the match result.

“The disciplinary outcome does not affect the final scoreline of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Final,” the governing body said.

CAF also stressed that the matter was closed from a regulatory standpoint.

“The verdict is final. No changes, no replay and no review of the final result,” CAF confirmed in its communication to member associations.

Sanctions Imposed Without Touching The Trophy

While Morocco’s protest was rejected, CAF imposed disciplinary sanctions on both football federations following its investigation into the incidents during the final.

CAF said the sanctions were issued because the events “violated the CAF Disciplinary Code” and “brought the game into disrepute”.

“The CAF Disciplinary Board imposed sanctions on the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football, the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football and certain players and officials for incidents during the final which violated the CAF Disciplinary Code,” CAF stated.

The Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF) was fined a combined US$615,000 (about R11.6 million) for supporter misconduct, unsporting behaviour by players and officials, and accumulated cautions.

Senegal head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw was suspended for five CAF matches and fined US$100,000 (about R1.9 million).

Morocco also faced penalties. The Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football was fined US$330,000 (about R6.2 million), while players Achraf Hakimi and Ismaël Saibari received suspensions, with Saibari also fined US$100,000 (about R1.9 million).

Final Fallout Brought To A Close

Morocco had announced its intention to pursue legal action, arguing that Senegal’s temporary walk-off following a VAR-awarded penalty disrupted the match.

CAF acknowledged the seriousness of the incident but drew a firm line between disciplinary accountability and competition integrity.

“Any inappropriate conduct must be sanctioned, but such sanctions do not invalidate the sporting result achieved on the field of play,” CAF said in its disciplinary summary.

With the ruling published, CAF has now closed the matter.

Senegal remain African champions.