Walid Regragui admits regret over chaotic 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final

Walid Regragui says he regrets the scenes that unfolded during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, claiming the controversy damaged the reputation of African football and appeared to validate its critics.

Morocco were beaten 1-0 by Senegal in the final, which was played in Morocco. The match descended into confusion in the closing stages after Senegal’s players protested against the decision to award Morocco a penalty.

The Senegal team left the pitch before returning to complete the match, with Senegal then scoring in extra time. The dispute has continued beyond the final whistle, with the identity of the tournament winner now the subject of a legal challenge.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) subsequently ruled that Senegal had withdrawn from the match and awarded the title to Morocco. Senegal rejected that decision and appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), leaving the outcome of the tournament unresolved away from the pitch.

“Currently, CAF has awarded us the title. Now there is the Court of Arbitration for Sport. We will wait for the decision and accept it from both sides. The unfortunate thing is that it has taken so long to issue the decision and to deal with it administratively,” Regragui told Canal+.

Regragui, who was Morocco’s manager, said the circumstances had prevented his side from celebrating in front of their own supporters.

“Everyone wants to climb on to the podium and lift the trophy in front of their fans. That did not happen because of an extraordinary incident, something that had never happened before in a continental or world final,” he said, according to Foot Mercato.

“The players left the pitch and, if the rules had been applied, they would have received a second yellow card, meaning Senegal would have had to finish the match with nine players. We saw things that had no place on the pitch, from both sides.”

The former Morocco boss also criticised Senegal’s manager, saying the behaviour witnessed during the match meant neither team presented African football in a positive light.

“I am a little angry with the Senegal manager because we did not show a good image. In the end, a decision was made, and it damaged the reputation of African football. Whatever decision the Court of Arbitration for Sport takes,” Regragui said.

The former Morocco manager added that he had moved on from the immediate disappointment, but remained concerned about the wider implications of the final.

“The next day, I got over it. What matters to me is that we represent a continent. I said that in 2022: a continent that is belittled because, at European and world level, there is a negative attitude towards African football. And that night, we proved that our critics were right,” he said.

CAS will determine whether CAF’s decision to award Morocco the title stands, with Senegal continuing to challenge the ruling.