In a surprise development that rocked the football world, Senegal were stripped of their Africa Cup of Nations title, with Morocco crowned champions by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) after a dramatic review of the chaotic final.The decision comes almost two months after Senegal’s 1-0 extra-time victory in Rabat, with CAF deciding to record the match as a 3-0 defeat for Morocco after upholding an appeal by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation.Go beyond limits with our YouTube channel. Subscribe now!CAF said Senegal effectively forfeited the match after players walked off the pitch in protest during the closing stages of regulation time. The decision was based on Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON Regulations, which stipulate that a team that leaves the field without the referee’s permission is deemed to have lost the match 3-0.Senegalese football officials have reacted strongly, calling the decision “unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable” and have confirmed they will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. “The Senegalese Football Federation condemns this decision, which brings African football into disrepute,” the federation said.Morocco, meanwhile, maintained that its appeal was strictly procedural. “It was never intended to contest the performance of the Games, but merely to request the application of competition regulations,” the federation said.
FILE PHOTO: Senegal supporters protest after a controversial penalty against Morocco during the final. (AP Photo)
What happened in the chaotic final in Rabat?The controversy was sparked by unusual scenes at the Prince Moulay Abdullah Stadium on January 18. With the scoreless going into final stoppage time, referee Jean-Jacques Nidala awarded Morocco a late penalty following a VAR review for a challenge on Brahim Diaz.The decision caused chaos. Senegalese players walked off the pitch in protest, halting play for about 20 minutes, while some supporters attempted to invade the pitch. Captain Sadio agreed. Finally persuaded his colleagues to return.When play resumed, Morocco failed to capitalize as Edouard Mendy comfortably saved Paninka from Diaz’s effort. The match went into extra time, where Pape Goy scored the winning goal.However, a previous decision by CAF has now erased that result from the record books.Consequences, limitations and global responseThe aftermath has been explosive. Several Senegalese players reacted angrily on social media, with defender Moussa Nyakhe posting a photo with the trophy with the caption “They’re crazy.”FIFA president Gianni Infantino had earlier condemned the “unacceptable scenes”, saying that leaving the pitch and any form of violence “cannot be tolerated”.Both federations have already been heavily fined by CAF for misconduct, while Senegal supporters are being prosecuted for hooliganism.With Senegal now heading to the sport’s highest governing body, the controversy is far from over, as one of African football’s most dramatic finals continues to spark debate around the world.
