Morocco claims victory in dispute over African Cup of Nations title

Morocco’s Football Federation Receives CAF Appeal Board Decision

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has issued a statement welcoming the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeal Board’s decision to award Morocco the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title. The decision was announced on Tuesday, following an appeal by Senegal, which had been stripped of the title.

According to CAF, its Appeal Board has awarded the tournament to Morocco, the defeated finalists. The final match between Senegal and Morocco ended in controversy, with a 14-minute delay due to protests from Senegalese players and staff over an injury-time penalty given to Morocco. The match resumed, but Moroccan striker Brahim Diaz missed the kick, allowing Senegal to win the game.

The FRMF stated that it had maintained its position throughout the process, emphasizing the strict application of governing regulations. CAF has now confirmed that the applicable regulations were not properly enforced. The Appeal Board’s decision provides clarity on the applicable framework and strengthens the consistency and credibility of international competitions in African football.

The Senegal Football Federation (FSF) has announced plans to take its own appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, a process that could take up to a year to reach a final decision. The Senegalese government has also called for an independent international investigation into the matter, alleging corruption following the decision.

Source: Al Jazeera