- Safiu Kehinde
The Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”) Appeal Board has stripped Senegal of the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) title with Morocco awarded a 3-0 victory.
This was announced in a statement issued by the CAF’s Appeal Board on Tuesday.
The African football governing body ruled that the walk out protest staged by the Senegalese team during the controversial final against the host nation had rendered the game forfeited.
Setting aside the initial ruling of its Disciplinary Board, the CAF Appeal Board ruled that the appeal filed by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) over the action was admissable and in compliance with the Articles 82 and 84 Regulations of the federation.
“On the appeal by the FRMF regarding the application of Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the CAF Appeal Board made the following rulings:
“The appeal lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) is declared admissible in form and the appeal is upheld.
“The CAF Disciplinary Board decision is set aside.
“The CAF Appeal Board further finds that the conduct of the Senegal team falls within the scope of Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations.
“The protest lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) is upheld.
“It is declared that the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), through the conduct of its team, infringed Article 82 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations.
“In application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations, the Senegal team is declared to have forfeited the match, with the result recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).” The statement partly read.
On the Disciplinary Board’s sanction of some Morocco’s players over misconduct, the CAF Appeal Board adujsted the initial ruling.
Though confirming the finding that the Atlas Lions’ forward, Ismaël Saibari, committed misconduct in violation of Articles 82 and 83(1) of the CAF Disciplinary Code, the appeal board reduced his suspension of two official CAF matches, of which one (1) match is suspended.
The $100,000 also imposed on him was set aside.
Recall that Saibari had during the final match prevented Senegalese reserve goalkeeper from handling the first choice keeper, Eduoard Mendy, his towel, with video of the incident showing him preventing the reserve goalie from reaching Mendy.
On the appeal lodged in respect of the ball boys who who were captured assaulting the Senegalese goalkeeper, the initial ruling was partially upheld.
The Appeal Board however reduced the fine imposed on the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) in respect of the ball boys incident is reduced to USD 50,000.
Meanwhile, Morocco’s appeal lodged in respect of the interference around the OFR/VAR review area is dismissed.
“The fine of USD 100,000 imposed on the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) in respect of the interference around the OFR/VAR review area is confirmed.” The statement read.
On the appeal lodged in respect of the laser incident was partially upheld as CAF reduced the initial fine to $10,000.