Scandal in Africa: CAF named Morocco champion of the African Cup of Nations by desk

The final of the African Cup of Nations added an unexpected chapter two months after their dispute.

The African Football Confederation (CAF) decided to take away the title from Senegal and declare Morocco champion, after considering that the Senegalese team committed a regulatory violation.

The match, played on January 18 in Rabat, ended with Senegal winning 1-0 in extra time. However, the Appeals Board determined that the African team left the field without referee authorization during the match, which constitutes a violation of articles 82 and 84 of the

regulations.

“In application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the African Cup of Nations, it is declared that the Senegalese national team has lost the match due to inappearance, recording the result as 3-0 in favor of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football,” CAF said in its official statement.

The controversy originated in the final minutes of regulation time, when Senegal protested a sanctioned penalty for Morocco and temporarily withdrew from the field. After several minutes of uncertainty, the team returned, the penalty was taken by Edouard Mendy and, later, Pape Gueye scored the goal that gave the

title to his national team.

Despite the fact that the match was completed, the appeal presented by Morocco succeeded and resulted in the sanction that changed the final result and the champion of the tournament.

Senegal will appeal to TAS

The reaction of the Senegalese Football Federation was immediate. In a harsh statement, the agency “denounces this unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable decision, which discredits African football”, and confirmed that it will take the case to the Court of

Arbitration for Sport.

“To defend its rights and the interests of Senegalese football, the Federation will file an appeal as soon as possible with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAS) in Lausanne,” they said.

While the conflict remains open, the CAF resolution leaves Morocco as the official champion of the competition and opens a new judicial chapter that could once again redefine the outcome of one of the most controversial finals in recent years.