Moroccan Embassy in Dakar urges calm among citizens in Senegal after AFCON 2025 final ruling by CAF

The Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in Dakar has issued an important advisory to Moroccan citizens residing in Senegal, calling for restraint, vigilance, and responsibility in response to the ongoing controversy surrounding the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final.

The appeal follows the historic ruling by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), which awarded Morocco the title after stripping Senegal of their on-field victory.

In its statement, the embassy emphasised that sport should serve as a means of fostering friendship, mutual respect, and solidarity between nations, and should never become a source of tension or conflict. Moroccan citizens were urged to maintain calm, exercise good judgment in both their daily interactions and online activity, and respect the laws and regulations of Senegal.

The embassy also praised the Senegalese authorities for the care and protection shown towards Moroccan residents and their property since the conclusion of the final match, highlighting this as a reflection of the values of hospitality and fraternity that define Senegalese society.

“The importance of preserving tranquility and the fraternal relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Senegal cannot be overstated,” the embassy added. “We call on all to contribute to maintaining respect, coexistence, and the spirit of solidarity, avoiding tensions that may arise from sporting events.”

The advisory comes in the context of CAF’s decision to recognise Morocco as the winner of the AFCON 2025 final, following a formal appeal by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation. CAF’s Appeals Committee justified the ruling under Articles 82 and 84 of the tournament regulations, which state that any team refusing to continue play or leaving the field before the match’s official end is considered to have forfeited.

The final match, held in Rabat on January 18, had initially ended in a 1-0 victory for Senegal after Pape Gueye scored in extra time. The game had been disrupted when the Senegalese players temporarily walked off the pitch following a late penalty award to Morocco by Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala.

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation lodged a formal protest, arguing that the temporary withdrawal violated competition rules, which ultimately led to CAF reversing the result.

With this ruling, Morocco secures its second continental title in history, following their triumph at the 1976 AFCON in Ethiopia. The Senegalese Football Federation has announced its intention to appeal the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, setting the stage for the next legal steps in this unprecedented case.

The Moroccan Embassy concluded by reiterating the need for Moroccan citizens in Senegal to act responsibly and preserve the longstanding fraternal bonds between the two nations, emphasising that sports should unite rather than divide.