Morocco Crowned Champions: CAF Revokes Senegal’s Africa Cup of Nations Title
Rabat, Morocco – March 17, 2026 – In a stunning turn of events, the CAF Appeals Board has overturned Senegal’s victory in the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) final, declaring Morocco the winners. The decision, announced late Tuesday, comes following a formal protest lodged by the Moroccan Football Federation.
The Appeals Board ruled that Senegal forfeited the final match, awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory. This dramatic outcome stems from the highly contentious final held in Rabat on January 18th, where Senegal initially won 1-0.
A Chaotic Final and Subsequent Appeal
The January 18th final was marred by controversy. A penalty awarded to Morocco in added time, immediately following a disallowed goal for Senegal, sparked outrage. Senegalese players temporarily left the pitch in protest before returning, while fans attempted to invade the field and threw projectiles onto the playing surface.
Despite Moroccan winger Brahim Diaz missing the penalty, the match went to extra time, where Senegal secured a 1-0 win thanks to a goal from Pape Gueye. However, the Moroccan Football Federation refused to accept the result, citing violations of CAN regulations.
CAF Cites Regulations 82 and 84
The Appeals Board justified its decision by invoking Articles 82 and 84 of the Africa Cup of Nations regulations. These articles stipulate that any team “refusing to play or leaving the field before the end of regulation time” will be considered to have forfeited the match and will be eliminated from the competition. You can find more information about CAF regulations here.
Morocco’s Federation Emphasizes Rule of Law
In a statement, the Moroccan Football Federation emphasized that its appeal was not intended to question the sporting performance of either team, but solely to ensure the application of the competition’s rules. “The Federation reaffirms its commitment to respecting the rules, the clarity of the competitive framework, and the stability of African competitions,” the statement read.
Potential for Further Appeal
The CAF Appeals Board’s decision is subject to appeal before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) within ten days.
Disciplinary Actions and Ongoing Legal Proceedings
In late January, CAF imposed a series of disciplinary sanctions, including fines totaling hundreds of thousands of euros, on both federations for unsportsmanlike conduct and violations of fair play principles. Furthermore, the appeal trial of 18 Senegalese supporters, imprisoned since the final and sentenced to prison terms ranging from three months to one year for “hooliganism,” has been postponed to March 30th.
This unprecedented decision marks a significant moment in African football history and raises questions about the enforcement of regulations in high-stakes competitions.
