Morocco crowned 2025 AFCON champions after Senegal punished for final walk-off

Morocco have been declared winners of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) overturned the result of their final defeat to Senegal, citing a breach of tournament regulations.

Senegal had originally beaten Morocco 1-0 in the final on 18 January, in a match overshadowed by controversy when the Senegalese players briefly refused to play after the hosts were awarded a stoppage-time penalty. Following a 17-minute delay, the players returned—Brahim Díaz saw his spot-kick saved before Senegal’s Pape Gueye scored an extra-time winner.

That result has now been annulled. In a statement, CAF confirmed Senegal "are declared to have forfeited the final match," with the result recorded as a 3-0 victory in favour of Morocco.

The decision follows an appeal by the Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), which CAF said was "declared admissible in form" and upheld. According to CAF, Senegal infringed Article 82 of the AFCON regulations through the conduct of its team, triggering the application of Article 84.

Article 82 states that a team refusing to play or leaving the field without the referee's authorisation shall be considered the loser and eliminated. Article 84 adds that any team violating Article 82 will be permanently eliminated and forfeit the match 3-0.