Justice has been served – Morocco legend Mustapha Hadji on Senegal AFCON 2025 title stripping

Former Morocco international Mustapha Hadji has delivered a candid and critical reaction following the decision by the Confederation of African Football to award Morocco the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title off the field.

The continental football governing body (CAF) dropped a bombshell on Tuesday night, 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.

Following Sadio Mane’s intervention, the Teranga Lions returned to the pitch for the continuation of the match and subsequently prevailed with a narrow win through Pape Gueye after Brahim Diaz had missed the penalty that had triggered the protest.

CAF, however, ruled that the conduct of the Senegal team constituted a breach of the competition’s regulations. As a result, the Federation Senegalaise de Football (FSF) was found to have infringed Article 82, leading to the forfeiture of the match under Article 84.

While acknowledging justice has been served, Hadji did not hold back in questioning the way the situation was handled, describing the process as deeply flawed and unsatisfactory despite the outcome favoring his country.

“Justice has been served. Once there are laws, they must be respected, and I think we have only respected the laws of football. If the Senegalese players were in danger, risking their lives or being assaulted, I would understand leaving the pitch”

“But today, we are talking about a refereeing decision. Of course, it’s surprising, because the first instance did not rule in Morocco’s favor, so it’s complicated. Afterwards, as an institution, we are obliged to see it through because there are laws”

“It’s true that the referee in the match was left alone. He had to make decisions by himself, whereas there are normally officials present who know the rules and should make the decision on the day. Later, when we asked to review the situation, it’s true that two months is enormous”

“Today, we Moroccans 🇲🇦 are happy. We’re happy to be African champions, yes, but it doesn’t have the same flavor. It feels like we were given a gift, while really we can only blame the CAF officials. At some point, you need competent people who can make decisions on the spot.” He told Rothensenflamme.

Hadji’s remarks capture the mixed emotions surrounding Morocco’s AFCON victory, pride in the title, but frustration over the process that led to it, while adding to the growing debate about governance and decision-making within African football.