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Senegal supporters protest after a controversial penalty was awarded to Morocco throughout the Africa Cup of Nations closing soccer match between Senegal and Morocco on Jan. 18, 2026, in Rabat, Morocco.
Youssef Loulidi/AP
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Youssef Loulidi/AP
GENEVA — Morocco was stunningly awarded the Africa Cup of Nations title on Tuesday by governing physique judges who overturned Senegal’s victory in a chaotic closing in January.
The Confederation of African Soccer mentioned its appeals board dominated that Senegal is “declared to have forfeited the ultimate” and its 1-0 win in further time turns into a 3-0 default win for host nation Morocco.
Senegal later mentioned it will enchantment the choice, however didn’t point out the place. One such avenue is the Courtroom of Arbitration for Sport, a Lausanne, Switzerland-based unbiased physique which settles sports-related disputes by way of arbitration or mediation.
Within the Jan. 18 closing in Rabat, Senegal gamers led by coach Pape Thiaw left the sphere in protest throughout stoppage time for quarter-hour — and followers tried to storm the sphere — when Morocco was awarded a penalty that was set to resolve the match.
When play resumed, Morocco ahead Brahim Diaz’s spot kick — a controversial sluggish chip shot generally known as a “Panenka” — was saved by goalkeeper Édouard Mendy and Senegal scored the one purpose in further time.
Rigidity within the stadium was already raised by Senegal being denied a purpose minutes earlier than the penalty was given to Morocco.
Within the second minute of stoppage time, Senegal’s obvious go-ahead purpose was dominated out for a foul by Abdoulaye Seck, however TV replays confirmed little contact on Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi.
After the Senegal walk-off, the crew’s return to the sphere appeared to be because of urging by star ahead Sadio Mané to finish the sport.
At an preliminary disciplinary listening to, CAF imposed fines of greater than $1 million in fines and bans for Senegal and Morocco gamers and officers however left the end result untouched.
Senegal defender Moussa Niakhaté on Instagram posted a picture of himself holding the trophy with a message that mentioned: “Come and get it! They’re loopy!”
In an identical publish, left again El Hadj Malick Diouf added: “It is not what I anticipated… this factor is not going anyplace.”
Choice referred to as “a disgrace for Africa”
Abdoulaye Seydou Sow, secretary common of the Senegalese Soccer Federation, mentioned the group will file an enchantment.
“We won’t again down. The legislation is on our aspect,” Sow instructed the general public broadcaster Radiodiffusion Télévision Sénégalaise late Tuesday.
He referred to as the ruling a “disgrace for Africa.”
“This choice is a travesty that rests on no authorized foundation. We felt that the panel was not there to use the legislation, however to hold out an order,” Sow mentioned.
CAF cited article 82 of event rules for its marquee occasion to justify the decision enforced on enchantment, although not on the first listening to.
It states “if, for any cause in any respect, a crew withdraws from the competitors or doesn’t report for a match, or refuses to play or leaves the bottom earlier than the common finish of the match with out the authorization of the referee, it shall be thought of loser and shall be eradicated for good from the present competitors.”
Nonetheless, the enchantment verdict did appear to override the referee’s authority making field-of-play selections.
The decision Tuesday awards Morocco its first African title since 1976 and denied Senegal its second title, and second inside three editions after additionally lifting the trophy in 2021.
World Cup-bound groups
Any enchantment by Senegal to CAS in Lausanne, Switzerland, would usually take a few 12 months to achieve a verdict — lengthy after each groups play on the 2026 World Cup being co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico.
Senegal has been drawn to play in a gaggle with France, Norway and a playoff bracket winner this month which may very well be Iraq. The video games towards France and Norway each are at MetLife Stadium close to New York.
Morocco was drawn to face Brazil, Scotland and Haiti, with a gap sport additionally at MetLife towards Brazil.
Below coach Walid Regragui on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Morocco turned the primary African crew ever to achieve the semifinals.
Regragui left the job two weeks in the past following fierce criticism for not profitable the AFCON title, saying “the crew wants a brand new lease of life earlier than the World Cup.”
Barring a profitable enchantment by Senegal, Morocco will go the U.S. as African champion.
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