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Morocco crowned AFCON champions after CAF strips Senegal of title over protest in chaotic final

Morocco has been declared Africa Cup of Nations champions after football’s continental governing body overturned Senegal’s victory, ruling the team forfeited the final following a walk-off protest over a controversial penalty decision.

By Aurax Desk | March 18, 2026

Morocco has been declared AFCON champions after CAF overturned Senegal’s victory in the final.

Morocco has been crowned champions of the Africa Cup of Nations after the continent’s governing body overturned Senegal’s victory in one of the most controversial finals in the tournament’s history.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) ruled that Senegal national football team forfeited the final after players walked off the pitch during stoppage time to protest a penalty awarded to Morocco national football team. As a result, the match has been officially recorded as a 3–0 win for Morocco, handing them the AFCON title.

The dramatic decision reverses the result of the January final in Rabat, where Senegal had originally won 1–0 after extra time following a chaotic ending that sparked protests, fan clashes and disciplinary investigations.

CAF overturns the result

However, after reviewing Morocco’s complaint, CAF’s appeal board ruled that Senegal’s walk-off violated tournament regulations. Under the rules, a team that refuses to play or leaves the field without the referee’s authorization can be deemed to have forfeited the match.

The ruling means Senegal’s victory has been replaced with a 3–0 default win for Morocco, officially awarding the North African nation the continental championship.

The Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadiumhe where thre controversial AFCON final between Senegal and Morocco was played in Rabat.

Senegal players briefly walked off the field to protest a late penalty decision in the AFCON final.

Chaos in the final

The controversy erupted in stoppage time when the referee awarded Morocco a penalty after a VAR review. Senegal players and staff protested the decision, leaving the field for more than 10 minutes before eventually returning.

During the delay, tensions escalated in the stadium, with some fans attempting to invade the pitch and clashes breaking out with security personnel.

When play resumed, Morocco’s penalty was saved by Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy and the match continued into extra time, where Senegal scored the only goal to claim what appeared to be the title.

Reaction and possible appeal

The decision has sparked outrage among Senegalese officials and fans, with the country’s football federation announcing plans to challenge the verdict at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Players from Senegal also voiced anger on social media, arguing the team returned to the pitch and completed the match and therefore should not be considered to have forfeited.

For Morocco, the ruling delivers a historic triumph, giving the nation its second Africa Cup of Nations title nearly five decades after its first continental crown.

The decision, however, has cast a shadow over the tournament and sparked debate across African football about refereeing, VAR decisions and disciplinary rules.

Sources: ESPN, Al Jazeera, CNN, The Guadian, Sky Sports, Reuters