Morocco Acknowledges CAF Ruling Awarding Them 2025 AFCON Title After Senegal Forfeit, Stresses Respect for Rules Amid Backlash
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has formally acknowledged the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeal Board's controversial ruling that awards Morocco the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title, while insisting its appeal was solely about enforcing competition regulations rather than undermining any team's sporting merit. The decision, issued on Tuesday, overturns Senegal's dramatic 1-0 extra-time victory in the January final played in Rabat. CAF declared that Senegal forfeited the match by walking off the pitch in protest during a late penalty incident involving Morocco's Brahim Díaz, applying Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON regulations. The result has been officially recorded as a 3-0 win for the hosts, handing Morocco their first continental title since 1976. In a statement released on its official website, the FRMF said it "acknowledges the decision made by the CAF Appeals Commission." It clarified that the federation's appeal ...