The Africa Cup of Nations 2025 Closing led to controversy after Senegal have been stripped of their on-field victory and Morocco awarded a 3–0 win by the Confederation of African Soccer.
The ultimate in Rabat descended into chaos late in stoppage time when referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a penalty after a VAR overview involving Brahim Díaz. Livid on the determination coming moments after a disallowed objective Senegal gamers, led by coach Pape Thiaw, walked off the pitch in protest.
Though play later resumed, with Edouard Mendy saving Díaz’s penalty and Pape Sarr scoring what seemed to be the profitable objective in additional time, CAF dominated that Senegal had already breached match guidelines.
Underneath Articles 82 and 84 of AFCON laws, any group that ‘Refuses to proceed play, or Leaves the pitch with out the referee’s authorization’, robotically forfeits the match, which is then recorded as a 3–0 win for the opponent.
CAF confirmed Senegal violated Article 82, and in software of Article 84, the match was awarded to Morocco securing their first AFCON title since 1976.
Thiaw has since been handed a suspension for upcoming qualifiers, whereas the outcome stays one of the vital contentious choices in AFCON historical past.
