CAF revokes Senegal's AFCON victory, awards trophy to Morocco

On Tuesday, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) dramatically revoked Senegal's African Cup of Nations title and proclaimed Morocco as the winners.

In Rabat on January 18, numerous Senegalese players left the field in objection after the hosts received a penalty in the closing seconds of added time during the second half.

Once Senegal's team came back, Morocco failed to convert the spot kick, and Pape Gueye netted a decisive goal during extra time, securing a 1-0 triumph for his country in the final.

Following review of Morocco's submission, CAF announced that "the Senegal national team has forfeited the encounter," with the scoreline formally set at 3-0 for Morocco.

The CAF Appeals Committee based its ruling on Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON rules, noting that a team "that declines to continue or departs the field prior to the official conclusion loses the game and faces permanent exclusion from the tournament".

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) released a message stating its challenge "aimed only to enforce the tournament's guidelines, without disputing the athletic efforts of the involved sides".

The FRMF further emphasised its dedication to upholding regulations, ensuring transparency in contests, and maintaining the reliability of African tournaments, the message concluded.

Just before the match wrapped up, certain Senegalese fans tried to storm the pitch, as Senegal's players paused play for almost 20 minutes to challenge the controversial late penalty given to Morocco.

Congolese official Jean-Jacques Ndala granted the penalty at the conclusion of the eight minutes of stoppage time in regular play, after a VAR examination of a foul by El Hadji Malick Diouf on Diaz.

Brahim Diaz had the opportunity to claim the cup for Morocco via the penalty in the 24th minute of stoppage time after normal play.

However, Senegal's keeper Edouard Mendy comfortably stopped the feeble 'Panenka' effort from the Real Madrid player, who seemed unsettled by the extended interruption after the call.

The match at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium proceeded to extra time, where Gueye's stunning goal in the 94th minute clinched the victory for them.

Rulings from the CAF Appeals Committee may be contested at the Court of Arbitration for Sport inside a 10-day window.

Earlier in January, CAF levied various penalties, such as fines totalling hundreds of thousands of euros, against the governing bodies of both nations for inadequate sportsmanship and breaches of fair play standards.

The hearing for 18 Senegalese fans, detained since the final and given jail sentences from three months to a year for "hooliganism," set for Monday, has been delayed to March 30.