Published by on

The result of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final has been officially overturned, with Morocco now awarded a 3-0 victory after the Confederation of African Football’s Appeal Board ruled that Senegal forfeited the match, reports Cape {town} Etc.

In a statement, the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) confirmed that the decision was made in terms of its regulations governing the tournament.

‘The CAF Appeal Board decided that in application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Senegal National Team is declared to have forfeited the Final Match… with the result of the Match being recorded as 3-0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF),’ the statement read.

The ruling follows an appeal by Morocco’s football federation, which CAF said was upheld, while a previous disciplinary decision was set aside. The Appeal Board found that Senegal’s conduct during the match fell within the scope of Article 82 and 84 of the competition regulations, resulting in forfeiture.

The decision marks a dramatic reversal outcome, which saw Senegal national football team crowned champions on the night.

As previously reported by Cape {town} Etc, Senegal had secured a 1-0 extra-time victory over Morocco national football team in a tense final in Rabat, with Pape Gueye scoring the decisive goal in the 94th minute.

The match was overshadowed by late controversy, including a VAR-awarded penalty and a brief on-field protest by Senegal players.

Picture: Getty Images

CAF’s Appeal Board has now ruled that those events constituted a breach of tournament regulations, effectively nullifying the original result.

The governing body also issued additional rulings on incidents during the match, including misconduct involving Morocco player Ismaël Saibari, whose sanction was reduced to a two-match suspension, with one match suspended, and the lifting of a $100 000 fine.

CAF further confirmed that Morocco’s federation was held responsible for the conduct of ball boys during the match, with a reduced fine of $50 000, while a separate $100 000 fine related to interference around the VAR review area was upheld. A fine linked to a laser incident was also reduced to $10 000.

While the broader disciplinary matters were adjusted, the most significant outcome remains the forfeiture ruling, which fundamentally alters the official record of the tournament and hands Morocco the AFCON 2025 title.

Also read:

Blitzboks edge Fiji to seal world crown

Picture: @JacobsBen / X

Article written by