AFCON 2025: The rules were not respected – CAF senior figure apologizes to Morocco

Samir Sobha, Executive Committee member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and President of the Mauritius Football Association, has issued an apology to Morocco over the unrest that overshadowed the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final.

The championship match was fraught with tension after a controversial penalty decision in favor of Morocco sparked protests from several Senegalese players, who briefly walked off the pitch.

The drama continued as Morocco’s Ibrahim Díaz missed a critical penalty, allowing Pape Gueye to score the decisive goal and secure the title for Senegal’s “Lions of Teranga.”

“I apologise to the Moroccan Football Federation for the injustice that befell them,” Sobha said. “The rules were not respected as they should have been during this match… They (the Moroccans) were deprived.”

“All the players should have been cautioned after the Senegal team left the pitch. I am not saying the trophy should not be awarded to Senegal — what happened has happened — but we must acknowledge that an injustice occurred against the Moroccan national team,” he added.

In the aftermath, both Senegal and Morocco have been hit with disciplinary charges related to the chaos during the final.