Senegal supporters protest after a controversial penalty was awarded to Morocco during the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco on January 18, 2026 in Rabat, Morocco.
Youssef Loulidi/AP
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Youssef Loulidi/AP
GENEVA – Morocco was spectacularly awarded the Africa Cup of Nations title on Tuesday by governing body judges who overturned Senegal’s victory in a chaotic final in January.
The Confederation of African Football’s appeals board ruled that Senegal was “declared to have forfeited the final” and its 1-0 win in extra time would become a 3-0 default win for hosts Morocco.
Senegal later said it would appeal the decision, but did not say where. One such avenue is the Court of Arbitration for Sport, an independent body based in Lausanne, Switzerland that resolves sports-related disputes through arbitration or arbitration.
In the final in Rabat on January 18, Senegal players led by coach Pape Thiau walked off the field in protest for 15 minutes during stoppage time – and fans tried to storm the field – as Morocco were awarded a match-deciding penalty.
When play resumed, Morocco forward Brahim Diaz’s spot kick – a controversial slow chip shot known as a “panenka” – was saved by goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and Senegal scored the only goal in extra time.
There was tension in the stadium as Senegal were denied a goal before Morocco were awarded a penalty.
In the second minute of stoppage time, Senegal’s clear goal was ruled out for a foul by Abdoulaye Cech, but TV replays showed little contact on Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi.
After the Senegal walk-off, the team’s return to the field appeared to be the result of star forward Sadio Mane insisting on finishing the game.
In the initial disciplinary hearing, CAF fined and banned Senegal and Morocco players and officials more than $1 million but the outcome was not affected.
Senegal defender Moussa Niakhate posted a picture of himself holding the trophy on Instagram with the caption: “Come get it! They’re crazy!”
In a similar post, left back El Hadj Malik Diouf added: “It’s not what I expected… this thing is going nowhere.”
A decision “shame on Africa”.
Abdoulaye Sedou Souve, secretary general of the Senegalese Football Federation, said the organization would appeal.
“We will not back down. The law is on our side,” So told public broadcaster Radiodiffusion Télévision Senegalese late on Tuesday.
He called the verdict “an insult to Africa”.
“This decision is a travesty on any legal basis. We felt that the committee was not there to apply the law, but to carry out the order,” Sou said.
Although not at first instance, CAF cited Article 82 of the tournament rules for its marquee event to justify the ruling enforced on appeal.
“If, for any reason whatsoever, a team withdraws from the competition or fails to report to the match, or refuses to play or leaves the field before the regular end of the match without the permission of the referee, it shall be deemed to have forfeited and be effectively eliminated from the current competition.”
However, the appeal ruling appears to override the referee’s authority to make on-field decisions.
Tuesday’s verdict gives Morocco its first African title since 1976 and denies Senegal its second title and the second of three editions after lifting the trophy in 2021.
World Cup-bound teams
Any appeal by Senegal to CAS in Lausanne, Switzerland, would take nearly a year to reach a ruling — long after both teams were co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico at the 2026 World Cup.
Senegal have been drawn in a group with the winners of the playoff bracket, which will be France, Norway and this month Iraq. Matches against France and Norway are at MetLife Stadium near New York.
Morocco were drawn to face Brazil, Scotland and Haiti with the opening match against Brazil on MetLife.
Under coach Walid Regragui, Morocco became the first African team to reach the semi-finals at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Regragui left the job after being heavily criticized for not winning the AFCON title two weeks ago, saying “the team needs a new lease of life before the World Cup”.
Barring a successful appeal by Senegal, Morocco will go to the US as African champions.
