Senegal has been stripped of the Africa Cup of Nations for misconduct in the tournament final, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has ruled.
The CAF Appeal Board said that Senegal is “declared to have forfeited” the final in January. The result will be recorded as a 3-0 win for Morocco, the tournament hosts.
Senegal fans clash with security as fans invade the pitch. Pic: Reuters
The body defended its new decision, citing article 82 and 84 of tournament regulations – which set out that if a team leaves the ground without the authorisation of the referee, it is considered the loser and eliminated.
Senegal has said it will appeal the decision.
Final match descends into chaos
Senegal players, led by coach Pape Thiaw, left the field at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, with Senegalese fans trying to storm the pitch after Morocco was awarded a penalty in the 98th minute.
Referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awards a penalty to Morocco after a VAR review . Pic: Reuters
Tension had already been high after a goal by Senegal was denied minutes before the penalty was awarded to Morocco.
After a lengthy delay, the players and coach returned to the pitch where the penalty was saved by Senegal’s goalkeeper, and Senegal went on to win the game 1-0 in extra time.
Read more: How controversy unfolded in final
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation said after the match it would “pursue legal action”, saying the walk-off “had a significant impact on the normal course of the match and on the players’ performance”.
FIFA boss Gianni Infantino hit out at the “unacceptable scenes on the field and in the stands” as he criticised the behaviour of some “supporters” as well as Senegal players and staff.
An initial disciplinary CAF hearing left the result unchanged, but imposed fines of more than $1m (£750,000) and bans for Senegal and Morocco players.
Referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awards a penalty to Morocco after a VAR review . Pic: Reuters
Abdoulaye Seydou Sow, secretary general of the Senegalese Football Federation, called the ruling a “travesty” and a “shame for Africa”.
Senegal defender Moussa Niakhate posted an image of himself holding the trophy on Instagram, with a message that said: “Come and get it! They’re crazy!”.
Tuesday’s verdict awards Morocco its first African title since 1976.
Senegal has not said where it would lodge its appeal. One option would be the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), an independent, Switzerland-based body which settles sports-related disputes through arbitration and mediation.
Any appeal by Senegal to CAS would typically take about a year to reach a verdict, meaning the teams would likely be playing at the 2026 World Cup with the dispute ongoing.