By Olaolu Fawole
The Confederation of African Football, (CAF) Appeal Board has overturned the outcome of the final match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) between hosts, Morocco and Senegal.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the CAF Appeal Board ruled that, in accordance with Article 84 of the AFCON regulations, the match is to be recorded as a 3–0 victory in favour of the Atlas Lions of Morocco.
The decision followed an appeal lodged by the Moroccan football federation challenging earlier rulings by the CAF Disciplinary Board.
The Appeal Board set aside the initial decision and upheld Morocco’s protest, finding that the conduct of the Senegal team breached Articles 82 and 84 of the competition regulations.
According to the ruling, the actions of the Senegal side, under the authority of the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), constituted an infringement warranting forfeiture of the final match.
In addition to the main decision, the Appeal Board also issued several related rulings.
Morocco’s player, Ismaël Saibari, was found guilty of misconduct.
However, his punishment was reduced to a two-match suspension, with one match suspended, while an earlier fine of 100,000 US dollars imposed on him was cancelled.
The board also held the Moroccan federation responsible for misconduct involving ball boys during the match, reducing the fine in that regard to 50,000 US dollars.
A separate fine of 100,000 US dollars related to interference around the VAR review area was upheld.
Furthermore, a penalty imposed over a laser incident was reduced to 10,000 US dollars.
CAF stated that all other motions and requests for relief by the parties involved were dismissed.
The ruling brings a dramatic conclusion to one of the most contentious finals in AFCON history, with Morocco now officially recognised as winners of the 2025 tournament following the administrative decision.
