Morocco Petitions FIFA and CAF to Strip Senegal of AFCON Title After Controversial Final

Morocco has formally asked African and global football authorities to overturn the result of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, escalating one of the most dramatic controversies in recent AFCON history.

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has submitted petitions to both the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA, calling for Senegal to be stripped of the AFCON trophy and for the title to be awarded to Morocco. The appeal follows the chaotic conclusion to the final played in Rabat, which Senegal won 1–0 after extra time.

At the center of Morocco’s complaint is a 17-minute interruption during the match, when Senegalese players temporarily left the pitch amid a heated dispute over a penalty decision late in the second half. According to the FRMF, this action amounted to a “withdrawal from play” under Article 82 of competition regulations, which states that any team that withdraws from a match forfeits the game.

Morocco argues that the prolonged stoppage disrupted the flow of the match at a crucial moment and had a direct psychological impact on their players. The federation claims the delay contributed to Brahim Díaz missing a decisive Panenka-style penalty, which was comfortably saved by Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy. The hosts believe the incident shattered their momentum and unfairly shifted the balance of the final.

In its official submission, the FRMF is seeking an administrative reversal of the result, asking CAF and FIFA to annul the extra-time victory secured by Pape Gueye’s goal and instead award the championship to Morocco as tournament hosts. The federation insists the circumstances surrounding the interruption undermined the integrity of the match and turned what could have been a Moroccan victory into what it describes as a controversial Senegal triumph.

The dispute has placed African football’s governing bodies under intense scrutiny, with questions being raised about the enforcement of competition rules and disciplinary standards at the highest level. CAF has confirmed receipt of the complaint and stated that all available evidence will be reviewed before the matter is referred to the appropriate committees for a final decision.

The incident also drew sharp criticism from FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who was present at the final. He reportedly described Senegal’s on-field protest as unacceptable and damaging to the image of African football, calling for firm disciplinary action.

Senegal’s football federation, however, has played down the appeal, characterizing it as part of the post-match process. Head coach Pape Thiaw later issued an apology for his emotional reaction during the game, but maintained that Senegal’s victory was earned on the pitch.

As CAF and FIFA deliberate, the case has become one of the most talked-about controversies in AFCON history, with fans and analysts across the continent closely watching to see whether the unprecedented request will lead to a dramatic rewrite of the tournament’s outcome.