Morocco’s football authorities have formally appealed to the Confederation of African Football following the chaotic scenes that overshadowed the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, ensuring the tournament’s most dramatic match continues to generate controversy well beyond the final whistle.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) confirmed in an official statement that it has taken the matter to CAF, and also contacted FIFA, after a series of incidents during the final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
Central to the appeal is the conduct of Senegalese players, who temporarily left the pitch in protest at a refereeing decision during the decisive match.
The final, which ultimately crowned Senegal as champions, was marked by intense tension after the referee awarded a penalty following a VAR review.
The decision triggered a prolonged interruption as several Senegal players and members of the technical staff walked off the field, halting play and creating confusion among spectators and officials.
In its statement, the FRMF said it considered the sequence of events to be a serious disruption to the match and one that warranted official examination by football’s governing bodies.
The federation underlined its position by publishing part of its communication to CAF and FIFA.
“The Royal Moroccan Football Federation announces that it has initiated legal proceedings with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) regarding the opposing team’s withdrawal from the field during the final match against the Moroccan national team, as well as the events that followed the referee’s announcement of the validity of the penalty after consulting VAR, which severely disrupted the normal course of the match and was rejected by the players.”
Moroccan officials believe the interruption affected the rhythm and integrity of the final, which had already been played under intense pressure in front of a packed home crowd.
While the match eventually resumed, the incident left a lingering sense of bitterness among Moroccan supporters and officials, who argue that the situation went beyond normal on-field protest.
CAF has yet to issue a public response to the appeal, but the matter is expected to be reviewed by its disciplinary bodies in the coming days. Any decision could include sanctions or clarifications regarding the conduct of teams and players in high-stakes matches.
The appeal adds another chapter to a tournament that produced memorable football but also sparked repeated debates around officiating, discipline and player behaviour. For Morocco, the focus now shifts from the pitch to the boardroom, as the federation awaits CAF’s assessment of events from a final that remains unresolved in controversy.
