Senegal and Morocco AFCON 2025 final row escalates

Tensions between Senegal and Morocco have intensified, with the dispute over the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking a dramatic legal turn as both nations prepare for a decisive phase in the ongoing crisis.

The controversy, which has drawn widespread attention across the continent, is set to move into the legal arena as the Senegalese Football Federation prepares to file an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

At the same time, focus has shifted to Rabat, where the appeal trial of detained Senegalese fans is scheduled to begin, adding another layer of complexity to an already heated situation.

The crisis stems from a controversial decision by the African Union on March 17 to strip Senegal of the AFCON title and award it to Morocco. The ruling followed an incident during the final in which Senegal’s players temporarily left the pitch, an act interpreted as a withdrawal.

Describing the decision as “unfair and illogical,” the Senegalese federation has maintained that it remains the rightful champion and is seeking urgent legal redress ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

On the other hand, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation has stood firmly by the ruling, stressing its adherence to established regulations and cooperation with international football authorities.

Amid the escalating dispute, Patrice Motsepe, president of the Confederation of African Football, has stepped up diplomatic efforts in a bid to contain the fallout.

Following high-level engagements in Dakar, including talks with Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Motsepe extended his mission to Rabat in what has been described as an attempt to safeguard the integrity of African football.

Motsepe emphasised the need for both firm disciplinary measures and improved regulations to ensure fairness and transparency, while also rejecting allegations of corruption directed at CAF, calling them “false claims” that risk damaging the reputation of the continent’s football institutions.

Adding to the tension is the ongoing legal case involving 18 Senegalese fans arrested in connection with unrest during the final in Rabat. The individuals were previously handed prison sentences ranging from three months to one year on charges linked to violence at a sporting event.

Their appeal hearing is set to take place before the Court of Appeal in Rabat, attracting significant media and diplomatic attention.

Morocco’s National Human Rights Council has confirmed that it is closely monitoring the proceedings to ensure that the rights of the detainees are fully respected.

The council stated that it has observed court sessions, reviewed case files, and visited the detainees, noting no formal complaints regarding rights violations.

It is also understood that the Royal Moroccan Football Federation is not directly involved in the legal proceedings, leaving the matter within the jurisdiction of Morocco’s judicial system.

As anticipation builds across the continent, the outcome of both the CAS appeal and the ongoing trial could prove decisive. Whether CAF’s intervention succeeds in calming the situation or the dispute deepens further, the 2025 AFCON saga is already shaping up to be one of the most contentious episodes in modern African football.