Governing physique’s attraction board guidelines Senegal forfeited January ultimate after gamers walked off pitch to protest referring choice.
Revealed On 17 Mar 2026
African soccer’s governing physique has stripped Senegal of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title they gained in a chaotic final two months in the past and declared Morocco the champions.
In a surprising choice, the Confederation of African Soccer (CAF) stated on Tuesday that its appeals board dominated that Senegal is “declared to have forfeited” the match, a 1-0 victory. The outcome, it stated, was now “being formally recorded as 3-0” in favour of host nation Morocco.
On the January 18 final in Rabat, Senegal’s gamers walked off the pitch, led by coach Pape Thiaw, in protest towards a penalty awarded late in regulation time to Morocco.
When play resumed after a delay of about quarter-hour, Morocco ahead Brahim Diaz’s penalty was saved. In further time, Pape Gueye scored the decisive purpose that noticed Senegal develop into champions of Africa for the second time.
The heated ultimate additionally noticed supporters making an attempt to storm the sector, gamers scuffling on the sidelines, reporters from the 2 nations combating in media areas, and a weird sequence during which Moroccan ball boys tried to grab a towel being utilized by Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy – in an obvious bid to distract him and assist their workforce win the continental title.
At a disciplinary listening to in January, CAF imposed fines of greater than $1m in addition to bans for Senegal and Morocco gamers and officers, however it had left the outcome untouched.
The case may go to an additional attraction on the Courtroom of Arbitration for Sport.
