Morocco have been declared winners of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) annulled the on-field result following Senegal's walk-off in the final.
On 18 January Senegal appeared to beat Morocco 1-0 after Pape Gueye scored in extra time, a match that had been thrown into chaos when Senegal's players staged a protest after a late penalty was awarded against them with the score goalless. Referee Jean Jacques Ndala, following a VAR pitchside review, pointed to the spot for a challenge by El Hadji Malick Diouf on Brahim Díaz. Senegal coach Pape Thiaw, furious also at an earlier decision that disallowed an Ismaïla Sarr goal, ordered his team off the pitch. After roughly 17 minutes they returned; Díaz's penalty was saved by Édouard Mendy, full time was blown, and Gueye then scored in the fourth minute of extra time.
CAF's appeal board has now ruled that Senegal forfeited the final. The confederation said Senegal breached Article 82 of the AFCON regulations — leaving the field without the referee's permission — and therefore Article 84 applies, which mandates permanent elimination and records the match as a 3-0 defeat for the offending side. CA
