Why have Senegal been stripped of their AFCON title and can they appeal?

Senegal have been stripped of their 2025 African Cup of Nations title after being punished following their controversial walk-off in the final against Morocco .

In an extraordinary decision , two months after the final on 18 January, Morocco have been awarded the 2025 AFCON title by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) – who have acted after an appeal by the Moroccan FA (RMFF) was “declared admissible in form.”

The verdict read that Senegal are “declared to have forfeited the final match” and the result will now officially “be recorded as 3-0” in favour of Morocco , who hosted the tournament. The Senegalese Football Federation have called the decision an “unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable decision which brings discredit to African football.”

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Senegal have been stripped of their 2025 African Cup of Nations title (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

But what regulations have Senegal actually broken? What actually happened in the final? And can Senegal themselves now appeal?

Here’s everything you need to know about the remarkable 2025 AFCON final verdict.

The closing stages of the final in Rabat descended into a farce after a number of controversial calls from officials, players and management alike.

With the score goalless heading into stoppage time, Senegal believed they had scored a late winner after Ismaila Sarr bundled home, but his goal was disallowed after a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review, which spotted a foul by Senegal’s Abdoulaye Seck on Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi.

Moments later, in the 98th minute, Congolese referee Jean Jacques Ndala was advised to consult the pitchside monitor for a potential Morocco penalty, after El Hadji Malick Diouf’s challenge on Brahim Diaz in the penalty area. Ndala then gave the spot-kick.

Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw was furious and instructed his players to leave the field of play in protest. The occasion descended into chaos and there was a delay of around 17 minutes before the Senegal players returned to the pitch. Captain Sadio Mane was instrumental in persuading his teammates to return.

Yet when play resumed with what was set to be a tournament-winning penalty, Diaz astonishingly attempted a “Panenka” chip down the middle which was simply caught by Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. The referee immediately blew for full-time with the score still 0-0.

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Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw ordered his players off the pitch (REUTERS)

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Brahim Diaz’s attempted ‘Panenka’ penalty backfired (AFP via Getty Images)

Senegal midfielder Pape Gueye then scored a terrific winner in extra-time to seal Senegal’s second AFCON title against a devastated hosts, who had not won the title in 50 years.

While Senegal coach Thiaw apologised after the match – in a press conference which saw Moroccan journalists stage a walk out – the RMFF filed a complaint the next day to FIFA and CAF. They argued the player walk-off “affected the normal development of the match and the performance of the players.”

On 28 January, CAF handed out fines and bans to Senegalese personnel. Thiaw received a five-match suspension (only for CAF matches, with no carry-over to the 2026 World Cup) with Sarr and Iliman Ndiaye banned for two matches. Both federations were also heavily fined, given the chaotic and confrontational scenes.

Morocco’s initial protest was dismissed. But on 3 February, the RMFF announced an official appeal, resulting in Tuesday night’s astonishing verdict.

Article 82 of the competition’s official regulations state: “If, for any reason whatsoever, a team withdraws from the competition or does not report for a match, or refuses to play or leaves the ground before the regular end of the match without the authorisation of the referee , it shall be considered the loser and shall be eliminated for good from the current competition.”

Regarding the specific outcome of such matches, Article 84 adds: “The team which contravenes the provisions of articles 82 will lose its match by 3-0 , unless the opponent has scored a more advantageous result at the time when the match was interrupted, in this case this score will be maintained.”

With CAF’s decision, Senegal are judged to have been in contravention of Article 82 and, thus, Article 84 is invoked.

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Thiaw took his players off the pitch after a controversial late penalty was awarded to Morocco (AP)

FIFA president Gianni Infantino , who attended the final in-person, labelled the situation “unacceptable” in an Instagram post afterwards – adding that he “expected the relevant disciplinary bodies at CAF will take the appropriate measures."

A full statement read: “We witnessed unacceptable scenes on the field and in the stands. We strongly condemn the behaviour of some “supporters” as well as some Senegalese players and technical staff members. It is unacceptable to leave the field of play in this manner, and equally, violence cannot be tolerated in our sport, it is simply not right.

“We must always respect the decisions taken by the match officials on and off the field of play. Teams must compete on the pitch and within the Laws of the Game, because anything less puts the very essence of football at risk.

“It is also the responsibility of teams and players to act responsibly and set the right example for fans in the stadiums and millions watching around the world.

“The ugly scenes witnessed today must be condemned and never repeated. I reiterated that they have no place in football and I expect that the relevant disciplinary bodies at CAF will take the appropriate measures.”

FIFA are yet to officially comment on Tuesday night’s verdict.

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FIFA president Gianni Infantino labelled the situation ‘unacceptable’ (Reuters)

In the history of major international football tournaments, this is a first: the winner of the final retrospectively losing their title.

The most recent high-profile example of a similar situation was the ‘Calciopoli’ scandal in Italy, when Juventus were stripped of their 2004-05 and 2005-06 Serie A titles.

The scandal was uncovered in May 2006 and concerned the attempts of clubs (including Juventus) to manipulate the appointments of referees. AC Milan, Fiorentina, Lazio and Reggina were also implicated.

The 2004-05 Serie A title was left “unassigned”, but third-placed Inter Milan were awarded the 2005-06 title with Juventus demoted to last place in the table – and thus relegated to Serie B. Second-placed AC Milan were docked 30 points.

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Juventus (pictured, manager Fabio Capello) were stripped of the 2004-05 and 2005-06 Serie A titles (Getty Images)

In a similar scenario, Marseille were stripped of their 1992-93 Ligue 1 title (then called Division 1) after a bribery scandal, with two players from Valenciennes paid 250,000 French francs (approx. £30,000 at the time) to underperform in their late-season match so Marseille could stay fresher for the 1993 Champions League final, which they won.

Marseille were relegated, but second-placed PSG did not take up the option to claim that year’s title, which went unattributed. Marseille were allowed to keep their ‘93 European title, but were barred from defending it the following season.

Though a starkly different context, more recently, Ligue 1 decided to award PSG the 2019-20 title on “points-per-game” with 11 matches remaining, after the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In a similar situation, the Dutch football federation abandoned the 2019-20 Eredivisie season, but first-placed Ajax were not crowned official champions, nor was there any relegation.

Yes – and they intend to.

In a statement, the Senegalese Football Federation said: “We denounce the unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable decision, which discredits African football. To defend its rights and the interests of Senegalese football, the Federation will initiate an appeal as soon as possible before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne.

“The FSF reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the values of integrity and sporting justice and will keep public informed of developments in this matter.”

Despite both countries being set to take to the World Cup stage in just over three months, we have not heard the last of this.