Senegal have been stripped of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title with Morocco awarded a 3-0 win in the ultimate.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has ruled that Senegal forefeited the January’s final because to their decision to walk off the pitch in protest of a penalty which was awarded to Morocco within the closing stages of normal time.
After a 16-minute delay, Senegal returned to the sector but Morocco’s Brahim Diaz saw his Paneka penalty saved by Edouard Mendy, sending the ultimate to overtime.
Pape Gueye then scored the winner for Senegal to secure their second AFCON title.
Nevertheless, CAF has ruled that Senegal were in breach of Article 82, which states that if a team refuses to play or leaves the sector before the tip of match without the referee’s authorisation, it can be considered the loser and eliminated from the competition.
CAF then applies Article 84, meaning that any team that violates Articles 82 or 83 can be permanently eliminated and can lose the match 3-0, unless the opponent already had a more favorable result on the time of the interruption, by which case that rating will stand
A press release from CAF on Tuesday night read: ‘The CAF Appeal Board decided that in application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Senegal National Team is asserted to have forfeited the Final Match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 (“the Match”), with the results of the Match being recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).
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‘The Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”) Appeal Board decided today that in application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Senegal National Team is asserted to have forfeited the Final Match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 (“the Match”), with the results of the Match being recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).
‘On the appeal by the FRMF regarding the appliance of Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the CAF Appeal Board made the next rulings:
- “The appeal lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) is asserted admissible in form and the appeal is upheld.
- The CAF Disciplinary Board decision is about aside.
- The CAF Appeal Board further finds that the conduct of the Senegal team falls throughout the scope of Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations.
- The protest lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) is upheld.
- It is asserted that the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), through the conduct of its team, infringed Article 82 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations.
- In application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations, the Senegal team is asserted to have forfeited the match, with the result recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).
- All other motions or prayers for relief are dismissed.”
‘The CAF Appeal Board also ruled that:
‘All other motions or prayers for relief are dismissed.
‘The appeal lodged in respect of Mr Ismaël Saibari (Player No. 11 of the Morocco National Team) is partially upheld.
‘The CAF Appeal Board confirms the finding that Mr Ismaël Saibari (Player No. 11 of the Morocco National Team) committed misconduct in violation of Articles 82 and 83(1) of the CAF Disciplinary Code.
‘The sanction imposed on Mr Ismaël Saibari (Player No. 11 of the Morocco National Team) is amended to a suspension of two (2) official CAF matches, of which one (1) match is suspended.
‘The advantageous of USD 100,000 imposed on Mr Ismaël Saibari (Player No. 11 of the Morocco National Team) is about aside.
‘The appeal lodged in respect of the ball boys incident is partially upheld.
‘The CAF Appeal Board confirms the finding that the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) is liable for the conduct of the ball boys through the aforementioned match.
‘The advantageous imposed on the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) in respect of the ball boys incident is reduced to USD 50,000.
‘The appeal lodged in respect of the interference across the OFR/VAR review area is dismissed.
‘The advantageous of USD 100,000 imposed on the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) in respect of the interference across the OFR/VAR review area is confirmed.
‘The appeal lodged in respect of the laser incident is partially upheld.
‘The advantageous imposed on the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) in respect of the laser incident is reduced to USD 10,000.’
More to follow…
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