Morocco is set to pursue the stripping of Senegal’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title following chaotic scenes that marred the AFCON 2025 final in Rabat.
According to beIN SPORTS, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) plans to lodge formal complaints with both the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA. Morocco argues that Senegal’s temporary walkout during the final constituted a withdrawal from play and therefore breached competition regulations.
The Moroccan federation believes this violation should lead to the final being decided administratively, with the trophy awarded to the host nation.
Senegal won the final 1–0 after extra time, but the match was overshadowed by a dramatic 17-minute stoppage late in normal time following a controversial penalty decision.
The incident occurred after VAR reviewed a challenge and awarded Morocco a penalty. Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw was seen on camera instructing his players to leave the pitch in protest. Play was suspended as Senegal’s players gathered near the touchline before briefly retreating to the dressing room.
Following intervention from senior figures, including captain Sadio Mané, the Senegalese players eventually returned to the field. When the match resumed, Morocco’s Brahim Díaz missed the penalty after the lengthy delay. Senegal later scored the decisive goal in extra time to claim their second AFCON title.
In a statement, the FRMF said it would ask CAF and FIFA to rule on what it described as Senegal’s “walk-off from the field of play,” arguing that the disruption had a “significant impact on the normal course of the match.”
The federation insists the penalty decision itself was correct and says the interruption altered the rhythm and psychological balance of the contest.
While initial reports suggested Morocco’s protest might be symbolic, beIN SPORTS now reports that the federation’s objective is explicit: to seek an overturning of the result through disciplinary procedures.
CAF has confirmed it is reviewing footage from the final and that the incident will be referred to its disciplinary bodies. Although Senegal was not named directly, CAF condemned what it described as “unacceptable behaviour” during the match.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino also criticised the scenes.
“It is unacceptable to leave the field of play in this manner,” Infantino said. “We must always respect the decisions taken by the match officials. Teams must compete on the pitch and within the Laws of the Game.”
CAF has yet to indicate whether sanctions will be imposed or if the final result could be reconsidered.
After the match, Thiaw apologised, saying the decision to leave the pitch had been taken “in the heat of the moment.”
The stoppage also raised security concerns after Senegal supporters attempted to enter the pitch and were restrained by stewards. Additional scenes showed ball boys dragging Senegal’s goalkeeper in an apparent attempt to take his towel.
Despite the controversy, Senegal returned home to a hero’s welcome. Tens of thousands of fans lined the streets of Dakar for a victory parade before the squad met President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and members of his cabinet.
President Faye had earlier welcomed the team at the airport and, on behalf of the state, awarded each player a cash bonus of $135,000 and 1,500 plots of land in recognition of their AFCON triumph.
