BREAKING NEWS: CAF Overturns AFCON 2025 Result; Morocco Declared Champions

RABAT, MOROCCO — In a stunning reversal that has sent shockwaves through the football world, the CAF Appeal Board has officially voided Senegal’s victory in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final, awarding the title to Morocco via a 3–0 forfeit. The decision, released today, comes after a successful appeal by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) regarding major regulatory infractions by the Senegalese side.

The Ruling: A Final Forfeited

The CAF Appeal Board cited Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON Regulations, ruling that the conduct of the Senegal National Team during the final match warranted an automatic forfeit. While the match was originally decided on the pitch, the official record will now reflect a 3–0 victory for Morocco. Key points from the ruling include:

• Verdict Upheld: The original Disciplinary Board decision has been set aside in favor of Morocco’s protest.

• Senegal Found Liable: The Board found that the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF) infringed upon tournament regulations, leading to the immediate forfeiture.

• Championship Shift: Morocco is officially declared the winner of the Total Energies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025.

Disciplinary Actions and Fines

The Appeal Board also addressed several secondary incidents involving players and match conduct:

• Ismaël Saibari: The Moroccan player’s suspension was reduced to two matches (with one match suspended), and his $100,000 fine was completely overturned.

• Match Conduct Fines: The fine for the “ball boys incident” was reduced to $50,000, and the fine for the “laser incident” was slashed to $10,000. However, the $100,000 fine for interference near the VAR/OFR review area remains in place against the FRMF.

“The CAF Appeal Board finds that the conduct of the Senegal team falls squarely within the scope of Articles 82 and 84… the match is recorded as 3–0 in favor of Morocco.”

This unprecedented decision marks one of the most controversial finishes in the history of the tournament. There has been no immediate word from the Senegalese Football Federation on whether they intend to escalate the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).