The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has officially condemned the chaotic scenes that marred the AFCON 2025 final between Senegal and host nation Morocco, played on Sunday, 18 January 2026, in Rabat.
The final, which Senegal eventually won 1–0 after extra time, was overshadowed by controversy following a dramatic incident in added time. The flashpoint came in the 90+7 minute, when the referee awarded a penalty to Morocco. The decision sparked immediate outrage from Senegal’s players and officials, who believed the call was unjust, particularly after a Senegal goal moments earlier had been disallowed.
The situation escalated into protests on the pitch, with players surrounding officials and heated exchanges briefly threatening the flow of the match.
In response, CAF released an official statement strongly condemning the events:
The Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”) condemns the unacceptable behaviour of some players and officials during the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Final between Morocco and Senegal in Rabat last night.
CAF strongly condemns any inappropriate behaviour which occurs during matches, especially those targeting the refereeing team or match organisers.
CAF is reviewing all footage and will refer the matter to competent bodies for appropriate action to be taken against those found guilty.
Following the incident, sections of fans called for Senegal to be stripped of the AFCON 2025 title. However, Softfootball understands that such a measure is highly unlikely, as Senegal did not abandon the match and eventually continued play after initial protests.
While the championship result is expected to stand, the outcome of CAF’s investigation could still lead to significant fines or disciplinary sanctions against individuals found culpable.
CAF is expected to announce further decisions once its review process is completed, bringing final closure to one of the most controversial AFCON finals in the tournament’s history.
