CAF strips Senegal of CAN 2025 title, awarding it to Morocco

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeals Board retroactively stripped Senegal of its 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) title, declaring Morocco the winner via a 3-0 forfeit victory. This controversial decision, announced nearly two months after the final, has caused widespread indignation and accusations of political motivation.

Key points

• The decision was based on Article 84 of the regulations, declaring Senegal to have forfeited the match.
• Senegalese press reacted strongly, calling the decision a 'scandal' and the 'biggest theft in football history'.
• Figures like Augustin Senghor stated the Appeals Board substituted the referee, and that the true champions would be recognized.
• The controversy has drawn international attention, with Samir Nasri alerting on credibility issues for CAF.
• Senegal plans to appeal the decision before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAS).

Why it matters

This unprecedented and tardy ruling by CAF has severely damaged the credibility of the continental football governing body and risks creating lasting institutional fractures.