By KPC Sports Correspondent
The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) Appeal Board has awarded the final of the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 to Morocco after ruling that Senegal forfeited the match.
In a decision released Wednesday, CAF confirmed that the final result will be recorded as a 3–0 victory in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF), overturning an earlier ruling by its disciplinary body.
“The appeal lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football is declared admissible in form and the appeal is upheld,” the Appeal Board stated.
It further noted that “the CAF Disciplinary Board decision is set aside.”
The board found that the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), through the conduct of its team, breached tournament regulations.
“It is declared that [Senegal], through the conduct of its team, infringed Article 82,” the statement read, adding that “in application of Article 84… the Senegal team is declared to have forfeited the match.”
The ruling follows an appeal by Morocco citing violations under Articles 82 and 84 of AFCON regulations, which relate to misconduct and forfeiture of matches.
In addition to the forfeiture decision, CAF also addressed several disciplinary matters arising from the final.
Moroccan midfielder Ismaël Saibari was found guilty of misconduct.
However, the Appeal Board reduced his punishment, ruling that “the sanction… is amended to a suspension of two official CAF matches, of which one match is suspended,” while scrapping an earlier fine of $100,000.
CAF also held Morocco partly accountable for matchday incidents.
A separate $100,000 fine related to interference around the VAR review area was upheld, while a sanction linked to a laser incident was reduced to $10,000.
“All other motions or prayers for relief are dismissed,” CAF said, bringing to a close a contentious dispute surrounding the final.
The decision is likely to spark debate across African football, as it formally hands Morocco the continental title under unusual circumstances while raising broader questions about discipline, match control, and enforcement of tournament regulations.