CAF Rejects Morocco's Bid to Seize AFCON 2025 Trophy and Prize Money
The Confederation of African Football has made a decisive ruling in the ongoing dispute over the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, rejecting two key requests from Morocco during an appeal process. This development comes amid a heated battle between Morocco and Senegal following the controversial final held on January 18, 2026.
Senegal Confirms CAF's Decision
During a press conference, Senegal confirmed that CAF rejected Morocco's requests as part of their appeal against the Disciplinary Board's judgment. The Senegalese Football Federation announced this after the Court of Arbitration for Sports officially confirmed receipt of their petition challenging CAF's verdict.
According to reports from Foot Mercato, lead lawyer Seydou Diagne revealed that Morocco specifically requested that CAF rescind the trophy, medals, and prize money from Senegal. However, CAF firmly rejected these requests, maintaining that Senegal retains these assets despite being stripped of the title.
Background of the Controversy
The CAF Disciplinary Board sanctioned both Senegal and Morocco after what it described as "unacceptable" incidents during the AFCON 2025 final. The Moroccan Football Federation appealed this verdict and was successful, leading CAF's Appeal Board to strip Senegal of the championship title while reducing other sanctions for Morocco.
In response, the Senegalese Football Federation has taken its case to the Court of Arbitration for Sports, seeking to challenge the ruling and uphold its status as the AFCON 2025 winner. This legal battle has created significant tension in African football circles.
Prize Money Details
CAF has disclosed that Senegal received $10 million in prize money for their performance in the tournament, representing a substantial 43% increase from the AFCON 2023 prize pool in Côte d'Ivoire. Morocco, as runners-up, received $4 million. Despite the title change, these financial allocations remain unchanged.
Updated Tournament Records
CAF has officially updated its records to reflect Morocco as the new AFCON 2025 champions. The organization revised the tournament review page on its website, registering Morocco as the champion while demoting Senegal to runner-up status. This administrative change has not affected the physical trophy or monetary awards, which Senegal continues to hold.
The situation remains fluid as both nations pursue their legal options, with the Senegalese appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sports representing the next significant development in this ongoing football controversy.
