Senegal authorities makes CAF corruption declare after AFCON ultimate outcome overturned

The Confederation of African Football has overturned the result of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, awarding the trophy to Morocco after Senegal was originally crowned champions

The Senegalese government has demanded an ‘independent international investigation’ into the ‘suspected corruption’ within the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Senegal, who clinched the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations by defeating Morocco 1-0, have been stripped of their title, with CAF awarding it to Morocco.

On Tuesday, CAF confirmed that the result had been reversed following a ruling by the organisation’s appeal board. The statement announced that Senegal had ‘forfeited the final match,’ resulting in Morocco being handed a 3-0 victory.

The Senegalese Football Federation confirmed they would challenge the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, labelling the ruling as ‘an unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable decision which brings discredit to African football.’ In a fresh statement, the Senegalese government described the ‘unprecedented and exceptionally serious decision’ as based on ‘a manifestly erroneous interpretation of the regulations, leading to a grossly illegal and deeply unjust outcome.’

A spokesperson for Senegal stated: “This unprecedented and exceptionally serious decision directly contradicts the fundamental principles of sporting ethics, foremost among which are fairness, loyalty, and respect for the truth of the game. It stems from a manifestly erroneous interpretation of the regulations.

“By calling into question a result achieved at the end of a match that was properly played and won in accordance with the rules of the game, the Caf seriously undermines its own credibility and the legitimate trust that the African people place in continental sporting institutions.

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“Senegal cannot tolerate an administrative decision that erases commitment, merit, and sporting excellence. Senegal unequivocally rejects this unjustified attempt at dispossession. It calls for an independent international investigation into suspected corruption within the Caf’s governing bodies.”

Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) secretary general Abdoulaye Seydou also told Senegalese TV channel RTS 1: “This decision is a breach of trust that is not based on any rule of law. We felt that the jury wasn’t there to uphold the law, but to carry out an order. We will stop at nothing. The law is on our side. The fight is far from over. Senegal will defend its rights to the very end.”

Throughout the encounter, action was suspended for 17 minutes late on after VAR granted hosts Morocco a spot-kick for a dubious infringement. Moments beforehand, Senegal had witnessed a goal disallowed following another disputed ruling from referee Jean‐Jacques Ndala.

The Senegal squad refused to carry on, with several departing the field and returning to the changing room.

When action finally restarted, Brahim Diaz’s spot-kick was kept out, before Pape Gueye netted an extra‐time victor to clinch Senegal’s second AFCON crown.

As per AFCON rules, if a team ‘refuses to play or leaves the pitch before the regular end of the match without the authorisation of the referee,’ it is considered to have lost the game, and the opponents are automatically awarded a 3-0 victory, as detailed in Articles 82 and 84.

CAF has also maintained that it is acting in accordance with its own regulations, stating that Senegal ‘infringed Article 82 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations’ and that, ‘in application of Article 84, the Senegal team is declared to have forfeited the match.’

Morocco expressed approval of the decision in its initial response, stating: “The Federation wishes to recall that its approach has never been intended to challenge the sporting performance of the teams participating in this competition, but solely to request the application of the competition’s regulations.

“The Federation reaffirms its commitment to respecting the rules, ensuring clarity in the competitive framework, and maintaining stability within African competitions. It also wishes to commend all the nations that took part in this edition of the Afcon, which has been a major moment for African football. The Federation will make an official statement tomorrow, after convening its governing bodies.”

Some Senegal players have already indicated they will not surrender their winners’ medals.

Senegal and Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye expressed on social media: “We know what we experienced that evening in Rabat. And no-one can take that away from us.”