Senegal supporters protest after a controversial penalty was awarded to Morocco throughout the Africa Cup of Nations ultimate soccer match between Senegal and Morocco on Jan. 18, 2026, in Rabat, Morocco.
Youssef Loulidi/AP
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Youssef Loulidi/AP
GENEVA — Morocco was stunningly awarded the Africa Cup of Nations title on Tuesday by governing physique judges who overturned Senegal’s victory in a chaotic ultimate in January.
The Confederation of African Soccer stated its appeals board dominated that Senegal is “declared to have forfeited the ultimate” and its 1-0 win in further time turns into a 3-0 default win for host nation Morocco.
Senegal later stated it might attraction the choice, however didn’t point out the place. One such avenue is the Court docket of Arbitration for Sport, a Lausanne, Switzerland-based unbiased physique which settles sports-related disputes by means of arbitration or mediation.
Within the Jan. 18 ultimate in Rabat, Senegal gamers led by coach Pape Thiaw left the sector in protest throughout stoppage time for quarter-hour — and followers tried to storm the sector — when Morocco was awarded a penalty that was set to resolve the match.
When play resumed, Morocco ahead Brahim Diaz’s spot kick — a controversial gradual chip shot referred to as a “Panenka” — was saved by goalkeeper Édouard Mendy and Senegal scored the one objective in further time.
Pressure within the stadium was already raised by Senegal being denied a objective minutes earlier than the penalty was given to Morocco.
Within the second minute of stoppage time, Senegal’s obvious go-ahead objective was dominated out for a foul by Abdoulaye Seck, however TV replays confirmed little contact on Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi.
After the Senegal walk-off, the staff’s return to the sector appeared to be because of urging by star ahead Sadio Mané to finish the sport.
At an preliminary disciplinary listening to, CAF imposed fines of greater than $1 million in fines and bans for Senegal and Morocco gamers and officers however left the end result untouched.
Senegal defender Moussa Niakhaté on Instagram posted a picture of himself holding the trophy with a message that stated: “Come and get it! They’re loopy!”
In the same submit, left again El Hadj Malick Diouf added: “It isn’t what I anticipated… this factor is not going anyplace.”
Resolution known as “a disgrace for Africa”
Abdoulaye Seydou Sow, secretary basic of the Senegalese Soccer Federation, stated the group will file an attraction.
“We is not going to again down. The regulation is on our facet,” Sow instructed the general public broadcaster Radiodiffusion Télévision Sénégalaise late Tuesday.
He known as the ruling a “disgrace for Africa.”
“This choice is a travesty that rests on no authorized foundation. We felt that the panel was not there to use the regulation, however to hold out an order,” Sow stated.
CAF cited article 82 of match laws for its marquee occasion to justify the decision enforced on attraction, although not on the first listening to.
It states “if, for any motive by any means, a staff withdraws from the competitors or doesn’t report for a match, or refuses to play or leaves the bottom earlier than the common finish of the match with out the authorization of the referee, it shall be thought of loser and shall be eradicated for good from the present competitors.”
Nonetheless, the attraction verdict did appear to override the referee’s authority making field-of-play choices.
The decision Tuesday awards Morocco its first African title since 1976 and denied Senegal its second title, and second inside three editions after additionally lifting the trophy in 2021.
World Cup-bound groups
Any attraction by Senegal to CAS in Lausanne, Switzerland, would sometimes take a couple of yr to succeed in a verdict — lengthy after each groups play on the 2026 World Cup being co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico.
Senegal has been drawn to play in a gaggle with France, Norway and a playoff bracket winner this month which could possibly be Iraq. The video games towards France and Norway each are at MetLife Stadium close to New York.
Morocco was drawn to face Brazil, Scotland and Haiti, with a gap recreation additionally at MetLife towards Brazil.
Below coach Walid Regragui on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Morocco grew to become the primary African staff ever to succeed in the semifinals.
Regragui left the job two weeks in the past following fierce criticism for not successful the AFCON title, saying “the staff wants a brand new lease of life earlier than the World Cup.”
Barring a profitable attraction by Senegal, Morocco will go the U.S. as African champion.
