The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has overturned Senegal's victory in the Africa Cup of Nations final, awarding the title to host nation Morocco instead. The final took place on January 18 in Rabat, Morocco. CAF's appeals board ruled that Senegal forfeited the match after its players walked off the pitch in protest when Morocco was awarded a penalty in stoppage time.
The players reportedly left for around 15 minutes before returning, and the match eventually went to extra time, where Senegal scored the only goal to win 1-0. Under the ruling, that result is now a 3-0 default win for Morocco. Senegal has said it will appeal the decision, with one option reportedly being the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland.
The ruling awards Morocco its first African title since 1976 and denies Senegal its second title. In the final, Senegal had a late goal disallowed after a foul was called, and Morocco's Brahim Diaz missed the penalty with a chip shot saved by goalkeeper Édouard Mendy. CAF cited tournament regulations stating that a team leaving the ground without referee authorization is considered a loser.
Reactions from Senegalese players included social media posts mocking the ruling.