Utibe Umoren
In a most unprecedented move, the Confederation of African Football, CAF has overturned AFCON 2025 win of the Terenga Lions of Senegal.
The West African giants were locked in a controversial final against hosts Morocco that eventually ended in favour of the Senegalese football national team.
But that was marred by an incident where Senegal’s players and technical crew walked out of the pitch in protest of a decision by the referee.
The team, urged on by its captain Sadio Mane, later returned to the pitch after several minutes and subsequently won the game and were crowned champions.
But in a landmark decision on Tuesday, the CAF Appeal Board has overturned the win, and awarded the game to the Morocco men’s national football team.
It relied on article 84 of its regulations to deem the game abandoned by Senegal. The appeal body recorded the match as 3-0 in favour of Morocco.
READ FULL STATEMENT BELOW:
The CAF Appeal Board decided that in application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Senegal National Team is declared to have forfeited the Final Match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 (“the Match”), with the result of the Match being recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).
The Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”) Appeal Board decided today that in application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Senegal National Team is declared to have forfeited the Final Match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 (“the Match”), with the result of the Match being recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).
On the appeal by the FRMF regarding the application of Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the CAF Appeal Board made the following rulings:
- “The appeal lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) is declared admissible in form and the appeal is upheld.
- The CAF Disciplinary Board decision is set aside.
- The CAF Appeal Board further finds that the conduct of the Senegal team falls within the scope of Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations.
- The protest lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) is upheld.
- It is declared that the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), through the conduct of its team, infringed Article 82 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations.
- In application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations, the Senegal team is declared to have forfeited the match, with the result recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).
- All other motions or prayers for relief are dismissed.”
The CAF Appeal Board also ruled that:
- “The appeal lodged in respect of Mr Ismaël Saibari (Player No. 11 of the Morocco National Team) is partially upheld.
- The CAF Appeal Board confirms the finding that Mr Ismaël Saibari (Player No. 11 of the Morocco National Team) committed misconduct in violation of Articles 82 and 83(1) of the CAF Disciplinary Code.
- The sanction imposed on Mr Ismaël Saibari (Player No. 11 of the Morocco National Team) is amended to a suspension of two (2) official CAF matches, of which one (1) match is suspended.
- The fine of USD 100,000 imposed on Mr Ismaël Saibari (Player No. 11 of the Morocco National Team) is set aside.
- The appeal lodged in respect of the ball boys incident is partially upheld.
- The CAF Appeal Board confirms the finding that the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) is responsible for the conduct of the ball boys during the aforementioned match.
- The fine imposed on the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) in respect of the ball boys incident is reduced to USD 50,000.
- The appeal lodged in respect of the interference around the OFR/VAR review area is dismissed.
- The fine of USD 100,000 imposed on the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) in respect of the interference around the OFR/VAR review area is confirmed.
- The appeal lodged in respect of the laser incident is partially upheld.
- The fine imposed on the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) in respect of the laser incident is reduced to USD 10,000.
- All other motions or prayers for relief are dismissed.”
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
