- Morocco has now received a significant boost after FIFA recognised the recent verdict that awarded them the AFCON 2025 title
- CAF’s Appeals Board stripped Senegal of the title, 58 days after the final in Rabat, in a never-before-seen decision
- FIFA has already ratified the changes, even as Senegal confirmed they had filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)
FIFA has moved in to effect the changes occasioned by the recent controversial decision by CAF’s Appeals Board to award Morocco the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Source: Getty Images
Why were Morocco awarded AFCON 2025?
Morocco were awarded a 3-0 win after Senegal were adjudged to have forfeited the final held on January 18 in Rabat.
The Atlas Lions filed a complaint after the game, arguing that Senegal had walked off the pitch and thus had forfeited the match. Senegal, led by their head coach Pape Thiaw, walked off in protest after Morocco were given a late penalty.
It took Sadio Mane’s intervention to have his teammates come back to the pitch. Brahim Diaz missed the penalty, forcing the game into extra time, which Senegal eventually won thanks to a Pape Gueye strike.
The result was overturned by CAF’s Appeals Board, who ruled that Senegal had flouted Articles 82 and 84 of tournament rules.
FIFA makes major Morocco decision after AFCON 2025 verdict
After the verdict, and despite Senegal’s impending appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), FIFA has already moved in to effect those changes.
Morocco has received a significant points boost in the FIFA rankings. According to the world governing body’s website, the North Africans have received an additional 18.02 points for their ‘win’ in the AFCON 2025 final.
Morocco now have 1754.59 points, leaving them as the 8th best team in the world, but are only six points away from Brazil in fifth place.
On the flipside, Senegal have been added zero points after the final and have dropped to 14th in the world list, second to Morocco in Africa.
Source: Twitter
CAF issues new statement with AFCON 2025 update
Meanwhile, CAF has updated the AFCON 2025 review section on its official website, recognising Morocco as the winner, with Senegal dropping to second place.
However, the section doesn’t make any mention of how Morocco won the title.
“The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025 left no room for the lukewarm. From the opening kickoff to the final second of the final, the tournament was a succession of intense moments, fully committed duels, and figures that tell the story of an African football game in full assertion.”
Will Senegal return AFCON 2025 trophy and medals?
CAF has been silent on whether Senegal will be required to return the gold medals and the trophy, and whether there will be a ceremony to crown Morocco.
Senegal are back in action this month with friendly games against Peru and Gambia, while Morocco play Ecuador and Paraguay.
Senegal’s next steps after AFCON 2025 verdict
We have also reported on the steps Senegal can take after CAF stripped them of the AFCON 2025 title.
The Teranga Lions have the legal option to file an appeal with CAS in Lausanne, Switzerland.
The Swiss-based court is the highest in the land that settles sports disputes.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
