The final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations will be remembered for a regrettable incident. On January 18, at the Moulay Abdellah Complex in Rabat, the highly anticipated match between Morocco and Senegal took a chaotic turn when the Lions of Teranga left the pitch to protest a penalty awarded to the Lions of the Atlas after a VAR intervention.
The situation plunged the match into total confusion, worsened by the invasion of the pitch by Senegalese supporters. After more than sixteen minutes of uncertainty and tension, the match resumed, but not without some twists, including Brahim Diaz missing a panenka. In the end, it was Senegal who triumphed in extra time.
On January 29, eleven days later, the disciplinary jury of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) delivered its verdict. Heavy fines were imposed on both federations, but Morocco’s appeal to annul Senegal’s victory was rejected.
Many hoped that CAF would refer to Article 82 of its regulations, which states that a team leaving the field without the referee’s permission must be declared a loser by forfeit. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) had actually highlighted this argument in its complaint, hoping to secure a win on the field. However, CAF dismissed this option.
CAF’s decision rests on a subtle distinction in the regulations, well-known to football lawyers. The disciplinary codes of FIFA and CAF clearly differentiate between a team that definitively refuses to continue the match and a temporary interruption followed by a return to the pitch. In this case, the Senegalese players resumed the game, and the referee never blew the final whistle, nor did he acknowledge an official abandonment.
The trophy was thus awarded to Senegal, in the presence of CAF President Patrice Motsepe and FIFA President Gianni Infantino, validating the final result.
Severe financial penalties
Although disqualification was not applied, the financial penalties imposed reflected the seriousness of the events. Senegal was fined a total of $715,000, including $300,000 for the behavior of its supporters and an additional $300,000 for the unsportsmanlike conduct of its players and coaching staff. Coach Pape Bouna Thiaw was suspended for five matches and must pay a $100,000 fine. Ismaïla Sarr and Iliman Cheikh Baroy Ndiaye were each suspended for two matches.
On the other hand, Morocco, the host of the competition, received a fine of $415,000, mainly for the behavior of its ball boys, accused of disrupting the match ( $200,000) and for the intrusion of players and staff into the VAR area ($100,000). Achraf Hakimi was suspended for two matches, one of which is suspended, while Ismaël Saibari received a three-match suspension along with a $100,000 fine.
Thus, despite the tension and incidents, Senegal retains its continental title, and CAF made its decision in accordance with its regulations.
