Morocco has announced plans to take legal action against the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA following the controversial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, arguing that events surrounding a late penalty unfairly influenced the outcome of the match against Senegal.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) says it is dissatisfied with how officiating decisions and pitch-side conduct were handled during the final played in Rabat on January 18, 2026, which Senegal won 1–0 after extra time. The match has since sparked widespread debate across Africa over refereeing standards, VAR use, and the enforcement of disciplinary rules in high-stakes fixtures.
The controversy centered on a dramatic sequence late in regulation time. With the score still goalless deep into stoppage time, Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a penalty after a VAR review of a challenge on forward Brahim Díaz. The decision came shortly after a Senegal goal had been ruled out, a moment that left players, coaching staff, and supporters visibly confused.
Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw reacted angrily to the penalty decision, instructing his players to temporarily leave the pitch in protest. The walk-off caused a prolonged interruption before the match resumed. When play restarted, Díaz stepped up to take the penalty, but his effort was saved by Senegal goalkeeper Édouard Mendy.
Senegal later sealed victory in extra time through a goal by Pape Gueye, clinching the AFCON title and ending Morocco’s hopes of lifting the trophy on home soil.
In a statement issued after the match, the FRMF said it believes Senegal’s protest disrupted the normal flow of the game and created abnormal conditions under which the penalty was taken. Moroccan officials argue that the interruption negatively affected Díaz and compromised the sporting integrity of the final. The federation says it will formally petition CAF and FIFA, seeking clarification on the handling of the incident and measures to prevent similar protests in future tournaments.
The fallout has drawn strong reactions from football’s governing bodies. FIFA President Gianni Infantino publicly condemned the pitch walk-off and the unrest that followed, stating that abandoning the field and acts of disorder have no place in football.
He stressed the need for players and officials to respect refereeing decisions to protect the credibility of the game and called for appropriate disciplinary action.
CAF has also criticised what it described as unacceptable behaviour during the final. The continental body confirmed it is reviewing match footage and reports from officials and said the matter has been referred to its disciplinary structures for further action.
As the legal and disciplinary processes unfold, the AFCON 2025 final is likely to remain a defining and divisive moment in African football, raising renewed questions about officiating, protest actions, and governance at the highest level of the game.
