CAF Sets Deadline for Morocco-Senegal AFCON 2025 Final Controversy Ruling
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is poised to deliver a crucial verdict regarding Morocco's formal petition against Senegal following the dramatic and controversial scenes that marred the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat. According to multiple authoritative reports, CAF's disciplinary committee is expected to reach and announce its decision before Tuesday, January 27, bringing much-needed clarity to one of the most tumultuous finales in the tournament's storied history.
Unprecedented Walkout Triggers Continental Disciplinary Proceedings
Senegal secured their second AFCON championship with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over host nation Morocco after extra time at Rabat's Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. However, the match was overshadowed by an extraordinary stoppage that has since escalated into full-scale legal and disciplinary proceedings at the continental football governing body. The incident that Morocco wants CAF to thoroughly investigate occurred during the dying moments of regulation time.
Referee Jacques Ndala awarded a stoppage-time penalty to Morocco's Atlas Lions, coming just minutes after disallowing what would have been a crucial goal for Senegal. In dramatic protest against these decisions, several Senegalese players, led by head coach Pape Thiaw, temporarily abandoned the pitch, bringing play to an abrupt halt before a stunned capacity crowd. The interruption persisted for several tense minutes until Senegal's veteran forward Sadio Mane intervened, persuading his teammates to return and complete the match.
Morocco's Formal Protest and CAF's Response
Despite the on-field outcome where Morocco's Brahim Díaz missed the critical penalty and Villarreal midfielder Pape Gueye scored the decisive extra-time winner for Senegal, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) swiftly filed an official protest. The Moroccan federation contends that Senegal's walkout constituted a formal withdrawal under CAF competition regulations, a serious allegation that could carry significant consequences if substantiated by the disciplinary committee.
CAF has officially confirmed that its disciplinary committee is rigorously reviewing the incident within established procedural timelines. Sources with knowledge of the process indicate that deliberations have reached an advanced stage, with a definitive ruling anticipated within the next forty-eight hours. Senior CAF officials are reportedly personally involved in examining the case, underscoring the gravity of the situation and its potential implications for tournament integrity and future disciplinary protocols.
Potential Outcomes and Broader Implications
The African football governing body appears determined to avoid prolonged uncertainty and ensure consistent enforcement of its disciplinary framework, particularly for high-profile matches involving continental champions. CAF has repeatedly emphasized its firm stance against any actions that disrupt matches, especially conduct directed toward match officials or tournament administrators. Any confirmed regulatory breaches could result in sanctions ranging from substantial fines to competitive suspensions, depending entirely on the committee's final findings and interpretations.
While Morocco seeks disciplinary redress that might include administrative penalties, Senegal remains confident that their actions will be contextualized as spontaneous protest rather than formal match abandonment. Legal experts observing the proceedings note that CAF's interpretation of the term "withdrawal" within its regulations will prove central to the ultimate decision. Once the verdict is finalized, both national federations will receive formal notification, with CAF expected to publish a comprehensive official statement detailing its reasoning and any imposed penalties.
Related Developments in Match Officiating Review
In a parallel development, CAF's Technical Committee has reportedly reviewed audio recordings of communications between center referee Jean Jacques Ndala and the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) room during the dramatic eighteen-minute stoppage. Newly surfaced VAR recordings allegedly contain a critical moment from the tenth minute of stoppage time where referee Ndala is quoted stating: "They've decided to withdraw. I'll end the match." This evidence could significantly influence the disciplinary committee's assessment of whether Senegal's actions constituted temporary protest or formal match abandonment.
The impending decision represents a landmark moment for African football governance, testing CAF's disciplinary mechanisms while addressing unprecedented competitive controversy at the continent's premier football tournament.
