GENEVA (AP) — Morocco was awarded the Africa Cup of Nations title in stunning fashion on Tuesday by governing body judges who overturned the title. Senegal’s victory in a chaotic final in January.
The The Confederation of African Football said this The appeals committee ruled that Senegal “forfeited the final” and that the 1-0 victory in extra time became a standard 3-0 victory for host country Morocco.
Senegal later said it would appeal the decision, but did not specify where. One such option is the Court of Arbitration for Sport, an independent body based in Lausanne, Switzerland that settles sports-related disputes through arbitration or mediation.
In the January 18 final in Rabat, Senegalese players led by coach Pape Thiaw left the field in protest during stoppage time for 15 minutes – and fans tried to storm the field – when Morocco were awarded a penalty that would decide the match.
When play resumed, Moroccan forward Brahim Diaz’s penalty – a controversial slow chip shot known as a “Panenka” – was saved by goalkeeper Édouard Mendy and Senegal scored the only goal in extra time.
The tension in the stadium was already rising because Senegal was denied a goal a few minutes before the penalty was given to Morocco.
In the second minute of stoppage time, Senegal’s apparent go-ahead was disallowed due to a foul by Abdoulaye Seck, but TV replays showed little contact with Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi.
After the walk-off in Senegal, the team’s return to the field appeared to be the result of star striker Sadio Mane’s insistence on finishing the match.
During an initial disciplinary hearing, the CAF imposed fines of more than $1 million in fines and bans for the players and officials of Senegal and Morocco, but left the result untouched.
Senegalese defender Moussa Niakhaté posted on Instagram a photo of himself holding the trophy, with the message: “Come and get it! They’re crazy!”
In a similar message, left back El Hadj Malick Diouf added: “It’s not what I expected… this thing isn’t going anywhere.”
Abdoulaye Seydou Sow, secretary general of the Senegalese Football Federation, said the organization will appeal.
“We will not back down. The law is on our side,” Sow told public broadcaster Radiodiffusion Télévision Sénégalaise late on Tuesday.
He called the ruling a ‘disgrace for Africa’.
“This decision is a travesty that has no legal basis whatsoever. We felt that the panel was not there to apply the law, but to execute an order,” Sow said.
CAF cited Article 82 of tournament regulations because the major event justified the verdict on appeal, but not at the first hearing.
It states: “If a team, for any reason, withdraws from the competition or fails to report for a match, or refuses to play or leaves the grounds before the regular end of the match without the permission of the referee, it will be deemed a loser and permanently eliminated from the current competition.”
Yet the appellate ruling appeared to overrule the umpire’s authority to make on-field decisions.
Tuesday’s verdict awards Morocco its first African title since 1976 and denies Senegal its second title, and the second in three editions, after also lifting the trophy in 2021.
Any appeal by Senegal to CAS in Lausanne, Switzerland, would typically take about a year to reach a ruling – long after both teams have played in the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Senegal has been invited to play in a group this month with France, Norway and a play-off winner, which could be possible Iraq. The matches against France and Norway will both take place at the MetLife Stadium near New York.
Morocco had to face Brazil, Scotland and Haiti, with an opening match at MetLife against Brazil as well.
Under coach Walid Regragui, Morocco became the first African team ever to reach the semi-finals at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Regragui left the job two weeks ago after fierce criticism for not winning the AFCON title, he said that “the team needs a new lease of life before the World Cup.”
Barring a successful call-up from Senegal, Morocco will head to the US as African champions.
