CAF criticised globally after awarding Morocco 2025 AFCON title by default

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has faced worldwide criticism after stripping Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title and awarding it retroactively to Morocco.

The decision, made almost two months after the final, has been described as unprecedented and “ridiculous” by former players and media alike.

The 2025 AFCON final took place on 18 January, with Senegal winning on the field. CAF’s delayed ruling on 17 March overturned that result, sparking outrage across Africa and beyond.

Former French international Samir Nasri condemned the timing of the decision on Canal+, saying:

“ If they’d issued a statement on the evening of the match or the following day, we would have understood, but now? Next time, are they going to do it in 2035? The Senegalese went home with the Cup, they celebrated, they partied.

And now what do we do? We take the Cup away from them, we give it to Morocco. Maybe Hakimi should go and parade through the streets of Morocco to celebrate this victory. This discredits the CAF once again.”

Patrice Evra also voiced his astonishment on social media, questioning Morocco’s alleged influence within African football. “It’s a disgrace for African football. A scandal. We all saw with our own eyes that Senegal won,” he wrote.

“The Africa Cup of Nations has truly lost all credibility… When I got the notification, I thought it was an April Fool’s joke. In any case, the real champions are Senegal, and they will always be Senegal.”

The international press echoed the condemnation. Spanish outlets AS and Marca labelled the decision a “global scandal,” while Italy’s La Gazzetta dello Sport remarked: “This is not a joke.” Germany’s Der Spiegel referred to Morocco as a “retroactive champion.”

Adding to the surreal nature of the situation, Moroccan international Brahim Diaz, who missed a panenka penalty in the final, was informed of his team’s title during Real Madrid’s Champions League match against Manchester City.

CAF’s decision has ignited a storm of criticism, raising serious questions about governance, transparency, and credibility in African football.