The Royal Moroccan Football Federation has announced its intention to pursue legal procedures with the Confederation of African Football and the International Federation of Football Associations over the incident involving Senegal’s brief withdrawal from the pitch during the Africa Cup of Nations final.
In an official statement, the federation said the decision relates to events that followed the referee’s award of a penalty kick to Morocco, a call it noted was later described as correct by a consensus of refereeing experts.
It stressed that the Senegalese players’ departure from the field at a decisive moment of the match directly affected the normal flow of the game, disrupted the principle of equal opportunity, and had clear repercussions on players’ focus and performance at a highly sensitive stage.
The federation emphasised that the incidents are fully documented through official reports and clear video footage, which it believes warrants the application of disciplinary laws and regulations in force within both continental and international football bodies.
It further stated that resorting to legal channels is not a reaction driven by emotion, but a step taken to defend the integrity of the competition, ensure respect for the laws of the game, safeguard the rights of the national team, and protect the image of African football on one of its most prominent continental stages.
At the same time, the federation expressed deep gratitude to Moroccan supporters for their unwavering loyalty throughout the tournament, whether through their strong presence in the stands or the exemplary backing shown across all matches. It highlighted fan support as a key factor in the impressive journey of the Atlas Lions during the competition.
The statement also praised all stakeholders who contributed to the success of the tournament, including organisational and security authorities, technical staff, volunteers, and media professionals, noting that their collective efforts helped deliver an edition of the Africa Cup of Nations that reflected Morocco’s ability to host major continental events to the highest standards.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation further reaffirmed its commitment to sportsmanship and institutional respect, while fully reserving its right to defend the interests of national football through appropriate legal channels until final decisions are issued by the relevant authorities.
