AFCON: CAF Cancels Sanctions Against Morocco In Final Match Against Senegal

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has overturned sanctions and fines against hosts Morocco in the 2025 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) over misconduct during the final match against Senegal.

CAF also overturned Senegal’s victory in the 2025 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) following an appeal filed by hosts Morocco after chaotic scenes recorded during the final match.

According to a Tuesday statement on its official website, the CAF Appeal Board ruled that Senegal will forfeit the Final Match of the 2025 AFCON held in Morocco, with the result of the Match being recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).

The decision followed a protest by Morocco after chaotic scenes recorded during the final match, when Senegal players briefly left the pitch after a disallowed goal and a penalty awarded to the hosts, an action the appeal board ruled fell under Articles 82 and 84 of the competition regulations on misconduct and forfeiture.

The Disciplinary Board had, in January, imposed sanctions on the Senegalese national team and the Moroccan national team, including players and officials, citing conduct during the AFCON final match, which violated the CAF disciplinary code.

In a statement published on the official CAF website, the football authority said the sanctions serve as punishment for violations of its Disciplinary Code, including breaches of the principles of fair play, loyalty and integrity, during and after the AFCON final match.

On the alleged misconduct from the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF), the CAF Disciplinary Board decided to fine the hosts Morocco $200,000 for the inappropriate behaviour of the stadium’s ball boys during the AFCON final match.

CAF also fined the FRMF an additional $100,000 for the improper conduct of their National Team players and technical staff, who invaded the VAR review area and obstructed the referee’s work, in violation of the principles of fair play and integrity, citing the provisions of articles 82 and 83 of the CAF Disciplinary Code.

CAF suspends the Moroccan National Team player, Mr Achraf Hakimi, for two official CAF matches, with one of these matches being suspended for one year from the date of this decision, for his unsporting behaviour.

Several players were also sanctioned and fined amounts exceeding hundreds of thousands of dollars, with the FIFA disciplinary measures being extended to both Morocco and Senegal for various instances of player and fan misconduct.

However, in the latest ruling by CAF, the governing body asserted that the Disciplinary Board ruling from January has been set aside, and a new decision has been passed down.

The statement reads, “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 declared to have forfeited the Final Match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 (“the Match”), with the result of the Match being recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).

“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 declared to have forfeited the Final Match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 (“the Match”), with the result of the Match being recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).”

On the appeal by the hosts, Morocco, regarding the application of Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the CAF Appeal Board ruled that the appeal lodged by the hosts is declared admissible in form and the appeal is upheld.

CAF further ruled that the disciplinary board decision is set aside, and the appeal board further finds that the conduct of the Senegal team falls within the scope of Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations.

The board also ruled that the protest lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) is upheld.

The ruling reads, “It is declared 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 declared 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, “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 Morocco national team player, Ismaël Saibari, committed misconduct in violation of Articles 82 and 83(1) of the CAF Disciplinary Code.

The ruling against Saibari reads, “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 fine of USD 100,000 imposed on Mr Ismaël Saibari (Player No. 11 of the Morocco National Team) is set aside.”

The Board also ruled that the appeal lodged in respect of the ball boys incident is partially upheld.

The CAF Appeal Board said, “finding that the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) is responsible for the conduct of the ball boys during the aforementioned match.

“The fine imposed on the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) in respect of the ball boys incident is reduced to USD 50,000.”

The appeal board also ruled that the appeal lodged in respect of the interference around the VAR review area is dismissed.

The ruling reads, “The fine of USD 100,000 imposed on the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) in respect of the interference around the OFR/VAR review area is confirmed.

“The appeal lodged in respect of the laser incident is partially upheld.”

The ruling added that, “the fine imposed on the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) in respect of the laser incident is reduced to USD 10,000. All other motions or prayers for relief are dismissed.”