Morocco the new African champion, title taken away from Senegal

The controversial final of the 35th Africa Cup of Nations, played on January 18th in Rabat, has now received its final outcome off the pitch. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has stripped Senegal of the title and awarded it to Morocco.

The host nation filed an appeal following the disputed interruption of the match, and CAF has now ruled that the final will be officially recorded as a 3–0 victory for Morocco. Initially, CAF imposed several financial penalties on both teams but didn’t change the result, it has now revised that decision.

During the match, Senegalese players temporarily left the field in protest against refereeing decisions. Although they later returned and went on to win the match, Morocco has been declared champion based on a regulation stating that a team that leaves the field is considered to have forfeited. CAF had originally argued that Senegal didn’t forfeit, since the players returned and completed the game, however the appeals committee interpreted the rule differently and also reduced penalties for Moroccan players.

Senegal has announced it will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne and seek justice. “We have contacted our lawyers and will use every possible legal avenue. Nothing will stop us. Justice is on our side,” said Abdoulaye Seydou, Secretary General of the Senegalese federation.

The final in Rabat was tense and marked by several incidents, including poor organization by the co-hosts. Ball boys repeatedly attempted to take the towel from Senegal’s goalkeeper Edouard Mendy during heavy rain. At one point, Moroccan international Achraf Hakimi grabbed the towel and threw it over the advertising boards. Eventually, a Senegal substitute had to guard it near the goal.

The situation escalated late in the match when the referee disallowed a legitimate goal by Senegal’s Moussa Niakhaté for an alleged foul. Minutes later, he awarded a penalty to Morocco, prompting Senegal’s players to walk off the pitch. They later returned after calming down and even won in extra time. Brahim Díaz missed the penalty after play resumed, and Pape Gueye scored the winning goal in extra time.

However, the final has now been officially recorded as a 3–0 win for Morocco, granting them their second title by administrative decision, while Senegal remains with one.