Morocco Appeals to CAF and FIFA After Senegal Walks Off in AFCON 2025 Final

January 19, 2026

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has announced its intention to seek intervention from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA following the Senegal national team’s controversial walk-off during the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 final.

In a statement posted on its official X account on Monday, FRMF said the Senegalese players left the pitch after a referee awarded a penalty to Morocco, a decision the federation noted was widely deemed correct by experts. The statement stressed that the walk-off “significantly impacted the normal flow of the match and the players’ performance.”

The federation also expressed gratitude to Moroccan fans for their “loyalty to the national team through their massive attendance and exemplary support in all of the national team’s matches and other tournaments.” It thanked everyone who contributed to the successful hosting of the continental championship.

The dramatic final, held at Stade Mohammed V in Rabat on Sunday, descended into chaos during the closing minutes of regular time. With the score tied at 0-0, Senegal had a goal disallowed for offside, followed shortly by a VAR review that awarded Morocco a penalty in the eighth minute of added time.

Unhappy with the decision, Senegal’s head coach, Pape Thiaw, led his players off the pitch in protest, triggering tense scenes that required security intervention. After a delay, the team returned to the field. Morocco’s penalty was saved by Senegalese goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, forcing the game into extra time.

In the fourth minute of the first half of extra time, Moroccan midfielder Pape Gueye scored the decisive goal, securing Morocco’s AFCON 2025 title.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino condemned Senegal’s walk-off, while CAF confirmed it is reviewing match footage and will refer the incident to disciplinary bodies. If sanctions are applied, Senegal could face fines or even suspension from future competitions.

The incident has sparked debate across African football, with experts emphasizing the importance of respecting referees’ decisions and VAR protocols to maintain fairness and integrity in major tournaments. Morocco’s appeal signals a possible legal and disciplinary process that could set precedents for handling future match disruptions in African football.