Senegal have been officially stripped of their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title, with Morocco declared champions after a controversial decision by the Confederation of African Football. The ruling, announced on Tuesday evening, comes nearly two months after a dramatic final that saw tensions flare over a late penalty awarded to the hosts.
The ruling stems from Senegal leaving the pitch in protest after Morocco were awarded a stoppage-time penalty, which delayed the match for 17 minutes. Although Senegal eventually returned to play, winning 1-0 in extra time thanks to Pape Gueye’s decisive goal, CAF cited violations of Articles 82 and 84 of AFCON regulations. These provisions stipulate that any team refusing to play or leaving the ground without referee authorization is considered to have forfeited the match, with a 3-0 defeat applied.
Senegal’s government has called for an independent international inquiry into suspected corruption at CAF. The Senegalese football federation labeled the decision “iniquitous, unprecedented, and unacceptable,” and announced plans to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne—a process that could take up to a year.
Morocco, hosts of the tournament, celebrated their victory, ending a 49-year wait for a second AFCON title. The Moroccan football federation clarified that their appeal was meant to ensure compliance with tournament rules, not to challenge Senegal’s on-field performance.
The ruling has sparked widespread debate over fairness in African football, with Senegalese Premier League stars, including Sadio Mane and Ismaila Sarr, expressing their frustration online while some fans have mocked the decision on social media.