Morocco welcomes CAF ruling, hails legal integrity of AFCON 2025

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has officially welcomed a decisive ruling by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeals Committee, which it said reinforces the federation’s stance on the legal integrity of continental competitions.

The decision follows a period of intense scrutiny regarding the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final, which was marred by the Senegalese national team’s mid-match withdrawal.

In a formal statement released Wednesday, the FRMF expressed its “welcome and appreciation for the contents of this decision,” noting that the ruling serves to ensure the “necessary stability for the smooth running of international competitions.”

The federation clarified that its persistence in the appeals process was not an indictment of athletic ability but a defense of the rulebook.

“The aim of this step was not to question sporting performance, but was limited to demanding respect for the laws and ensuring the integrity and fairness of the competition,” the statement read.

The dispute originated during the high-stakes final in Morocco, where the Senegalese side left the pitch in protest of a VAR-sanctioned penalty. While the CAF Disciplinary Committee initially issued sanctions, the FRMF appealed, arguing that the original verdict failed to uphold the binding regulations governing match forfeitures.

The FRMF emphasized its commitment to the legal framework, noting it participated in all sessions to ensure the “proper and fair conduct of competitions.” Looking ahead, the federation pledged to continue demanding the “strict and fair application of the laws” as Morocco prepares to host the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The statement concluded by praising the teams that participated in the tournament, describing the event as a “landmark moment in the history of African football” that has now been clarified by the restoration of regulatory order.

Background

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat took a dramatic turn during second-half stoppage time when referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a penalty via VAR. Protesting the decision, the Senegalese squad, led by coach Pape Thiaw, walked off the pitch in a move that halted play for nearly 17 minutes.

Although senior players eventually convinced the team to return, the match had already crossed into a legal gray area regarding competition regulations. Senegal eventually won the period of play 1–0 in extra time, but the mid-match abandonment became the central focus of the ensuing legal dispute.

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation successfully argued that Senegal’s walk-off constituted a formal forfeiture under CAF’s strict competition laws. While the Disciplinary Committee initially let the on-field result stand, the Appeals Committee later ruled that Articles 82 and 84—which govern team conduct and unauthorized pitch exits—were violated.

Consequently, the 1–0 victory for Senegal was overturned and replaced with a 3–0 forfeit win for Morocco. This landmark ruling officially stripped the “Lions of Teranga” of their title, crowning the host nation as the continental champions based on regulatory compliance rather than the extra-time score.