CAF Executive Committee Member Admits Morocco Were 'Robbed' in AFCON 2025 Final
An official from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has issued a strong apology to the Moroccan Football Federation, acknowledging that the Atlas Lions were unjustly treated during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final. This statement comes exactly one month after the tumultuous match, which saw Senegal defeat Morocco 1-0 to claim their second AFCON title, a victory overshadowed by controversy and disciplinary actions.
Chaotic Final and Disciplinary Fallout
The final, held at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on January 18, 2026, was marred by significant disruptions. Senegal's coach, Pape Thiaw, ordered his players to leave the pitch in protest after referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded a penalty to Morocco for a foul on Real Madrid star Brahim Diaz. Sanity was only restored when Sadio Mane intervened, recalling his teammates. Brahim Diaz subsequently missed the penalty, and Papa Gueye scored the winning goal during extra time, securing Senegal's victory.
In response to the chaos, CAF imposed severe sanctions on both nations. Morocco faced multiple fines totalling $415,000 for various infractions, including inappropriate behavior by ball boys, players invading the VAR review area, and supporters using lasers. Key players were also suspended: captain Achraf Hakimi received a two-match suspension, with one match suspended for a year, and Ismael Saibari was banned for three matches and fined $100,000. Senegal was not spared, with coach Pape Thiaw suspended for five matches and fined $100,000, while players Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr each received two-match bans for unsporting conduct towards the referee.
CAF Official's Apology and Admission of Injustice
Samir Sobha, a CAF Executive Committee member and President of the Mauritius Football Association, publicly apologized to Morocco, stating that procedural errors were made during the final. In a statement via The Guardian, he said, "I want to beg the Moroccan Federation to forgive us for the injustice done to them. The rules were not respected as they should have been in this match. The Atlas Lions were robbed. It's clear. After the Senegalese team left the field, all the players should have received a yellow card." This admission highlights the regulatory failures that contributed to the match's disorder.
Referee Cleared of Wrongdoing
Despite the controversy, CAF has officially cleared referee Jean-Jacques Ndala of any wrongdoing following a review of his performance in the final. This decision brings clarity to one of the most debated aspects of the match, though it does little to alleviate the sense of injustice felt by the Moroccan team and their supporters.
The 2025 AFCON final has left a lasting impact on African football, prompting calls for stricter enforcement of regulations and fair play. As CAF continues to address the fallout, this incident serves as a reminder of the importance of integrity in sports competitions.
