AFCON 2025: Morocco to Launch Legal Action After Losing Final to Senegal
- The Moroccan Football Federation is preparing a formal appeal to CAF following their defeat in the AFCON 2025 final
- Morocco were left aggrieved after Senegal’s players walked off the pitch in protest at a late penalty decision
- Senegal went on to win the chaotic final 1–0, sealing the title with an extra-time goal from Villarreal star Pape Gueye
Ghana’s top stories, now easier to find. Discover our new search feature!
The Moroccan FA has claimed that it has decided “to pursue legal action with the CAF (Confederation of African Football) and FIFA” following Senegal’s mid-game withdrawal during the AFCON final.
The Atlas Lions suffered a painful 1-0 defeat to Senegal on Sunday, January 18, with the game overshadowed by a bizarre turn of events in the 98th minute.
Source: Getty Images
The host nation were awarded a controversial penalty when El Hadji Malick Diouf was judged to have fouled Brahim Diaz in the penalty area.
This then prompted Senegal boss, Pape Thiaw, to lead his players off the pitch, leaving the home side waiting for around 17 minutes before the West African nation finally returned.
Upon their return, Real Madrid winger Diaz, who won the goal king, stepped up to take the spot kick with the weight of a nation on his shoulders. But instead of smashing the ball home, he tamely chipped it into Edouard Mendy’s arms, meaning it stayed 0-0 with the game going to extra time, according to The Guardian.
Villarreal midfielder Pape Gueye then smashed home a left-footed strike on 94 minutes, which proved to be the winner, handing Senegal a second AFCON crown in the last three tournaments.
The Moroccan players and staff appeared dejected after the final whistle, with Diaz in tears. Despite the heartbreak, the Real Madrid star ended the tournament as the top scorer with five goals, a reminder of his quality even on the most painful night of his international career.
Meanwhile, Morocco boss Walid Regragui branded Senegal’s actions as “shameful”, while FIFA president Gianni Infantino described the scenes as “unacceptable”.
Morocco to launch legal action
Now it appears that the Moroccan football federation is willing to take legal action. A statement posted to the Royal Moroccan Football Federation’s website on Monday, January 19, read:
“The Royal Moroccan Football Federation announces that it will pursue legal action with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA regarding the Senegalese national team's withdrawal from the final match against Morocco and the subsequent events following the referee's decision to award a penalty kick, a decision deemed correct by all experts. This significantly impacted the normal flow of the match and the players' performance.
“Furthermore, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation extends its sincere gratitude to all Moroccan fans who remained loyal to the national team through their massive attendance and exemplary support in all of the national team's matches and other tournaments. The Federation also thanks everyone who contributed to the success of this continental championship.”
Morocco have not won AFCON since 1976 and will have to wait until 2027 to try to secure a second triumph, per Morocco World News.
Source: Getty Images
CAF has never overturned a result in the AFCON finals, although Nigeria were awarded a win in qualifying after being stuck in a Libyan airport ahead of their match in 2024.
The disciplinary committee of CAF awarded a 3-0 win to Nigeria, even though the West African side refused to play against the qualifying match’s hosts, Libya, per the BBC.
The Nigerian players were locked in an airport for 16 hours and complained of mistreatment on arrival after their flight was redirected while on approach to Benghazi and instead landed in Bayda.
Players also claimed that there was no food or water while they waited for Libyan officials to arrive.
CAF sanctions Morocco
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that CAF fined the Moroccan Football Federation just hours before the AFCON final against Senegal.
The sanction was imposed due to inappropriate behaviour by fans during the Egypt vs Nigeria third-place play-off.
Proofreading by Omoleye Omoruyi, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
