Hugo Broos backs Morocco to be crowned AFCON champions after Senegal walk-off controversy

Former South Africa head coach Hugo Broos has weighed into the controversy surrounding the Africa Cup of Nations final between Morocco and Senegal, insisting that walking off the pitch carries consequences under football regulations.

The continental football governing body (CAF) dropped a bombshell in March 2026, annulling Senegal’s AFCON 2025 success and awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory.

In a landmark ruling issued under Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON regulations, CAF upheld an appeal lodged by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), setting aside the earlier decision of the Disciplinary Board.

The decision stems from dramatic scenes during the final, when Senegal players walked off the pitch for over 17 minutes in protest against a late penalty awarded to Morocco.

However, the Senegal FA rejected the CAF’s decision to award Morocco the title, and are currently contesting the case at the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS).

But the Belgian tactician believes the rules governing the game should be applied in such situations, arguing that a team that abandons a match cannot expect to escape the consequences stipulated in the regulations.

As reported by Football365, Broos acknowledged that awarding a defeat to Senegal would be a difficult outcome for the West African nation. However, he maintained that the regulations provide a framework for dealing with such incidents.

According to the former Bafana Bafana coach, leaving the field of play exposes a team to disciplinary consequences, a position that has led him to back Morocco’s claim to the continental title.

Broos also argued that the Royal Moroccan Football Federation would not necessarily need to submit a formal complaint for the relevant authorities to address the incident, insisting that competition regulations already provide guidance on such situations.

His comments have added to the debate surrounding the disputed final, which has attracted significant attention over the interpretation and enforcement of CAF’s disciplinary rules.

The controversy centres on the circumstances surrounding Senegal’s players leaving the pitch during the match, raising questions about the consequences under the applicable competition regulations.

Broos’ position adds another prominent voice to the debate, with the former South Africa coach insisting that the regulations governing the competition should determine the outcome rather than the difficulty of the decision itself.