Morocco AFCON title controversy: Benatia questions referee over Senegal walk-off

Former Morocco international Mehdi Benatia has criticised the handling of the controversial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final between Morocco and Senegal, holding the match officials responsible for the events that followed a late penalty decision.

Benatia questioned the referee’s management of the incident that saw Senegal’s players temporarily leave the pitch in protest after Morocco were awarded a penalty during regulation time.

Speaking on the French television programme Menu Latour on Canal+, the former defender discussed the controversy, Senegal’s return to the field and the subsequent decision to resume the match.

He also expressed disappointment that the final had overshadowed Morocco’s efforts in hosting a tournament that had received praise for its organisation, stadiums, hotels and infrastructure.

Benatia questions officials over Senegal’s walk-off

Benatia believes the referee and match delegates should have taken appropriate action when Senegal’s players left the pitch following the penalty decision.

The incident became one of the defining moments of the final, with the Senegalese team temporarily refusing to continue playing in protest.

The former Morocco captain argued that the regulations provide for a team leaving the field before a match has been completed.

“If you go back to the regulations, they say that if you leave the pitch, it is considered a withdrawal,” he said.

He subsequently questioned why the match officials did not apply the relevant provisions when Senegal’s players walked off, suggesting their handling of the situation contributed to the controversy.

Former Morocco captain questions Senegal’s return

Benatia also questioned the decision to allow Senegal to return to the pitch and continue the match after the interruption.

He argued that Senegal’s decision to resume playing and remain on the field until the final whistle should be considered an acceptance of the circumstances surrounding the incident.

His comments add to the debate between the Moroccan and Senegalese football federations over the application of the regulations during the final.

The former defender believes the officials’ handling of the situation played an important role in the dispute that followed the match.

‘The title will not have the same taste’

Despite his position on the regulations, Benatia admitted that the controversy had affected the significance of Morocco’s potential triumph.

He expressed disappointment that a tournament which Morocco had worked hard to organise had ended with such a disputed final.

The former international also reflected on the possibility of Morocco retaining the trophy through an official ruling rather than celebrating a victory on the pitch.

“The title will not have the same taste. It is different; it does not feel the same,” he said.

His remarks underline the disappointment surrounding the circumstances of the final, even as Morocco await the outcome of the ongoing legal proceedings.

Morocco and Senegal await CAS verdict

The controversy has continued following the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) Appeal Board decision to overturn the initial outcome of the final and declare Senegal to have forfeited the match 3-0, awarding the title to Morocco.

The Senegalese Football Federation subsequently challenged the ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), seeking to have CAF’s decision overturned.

Morocco, meanwhile, maintains its position following the Appeal Board’s decision.

Benatia’s comments come as both countries await the outcome of the proceedings, which will determine the final status of the 2025 AFCON title.

Until CAS delivers its verdict, the dispute surrounding the final remains a major talking point in African football.