CAF hands Morocco Africa Cup of Nations

GENEVA (AP):

Morocco was, stunningly, awarded the Africa Cup of Nations title yesterday by governing body judges who overturned Senegal’s victory in a chaotic final in January.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) said its appeals board ruled that Senegal is “declared to have forfeited the final” and its 1-0 win in extra time becomes a 3-0 default win for host nation Morocco.

In the January 18 final in Rabat, Senegal players, led by coach Pape Thiaw, left the field in protest during stoppage time for 15 minutes — and fans tried to storm the field — when Morocco were awarded a penalty that was set to decide the match.

When play resumed, Morocco forward Brahim Diaz’s spot kick — a controversial slow chip shot known as a “Panenka” — was saved by goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, and Senegal scored the only goal in extra time.

Tension in the stadium was already raised by Senegal being denied a goal minutes before the penalty was given to Morocco.

In the second minute of stoppage time, Senegal’s apparent go-ahead goal was ruled out for a foul by Abdoulaye Seck, but TV replays showed little contact on Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi.

After Senegal’s walk-off, the team’s return to the field seemed to be as a result of urging by star forward Sadio Mané to complete the game.

At an initial disciplinary hearing, the CAF imposed fines of more than $1 million in fines and bans for Senegal and Morocco players and officials but left the result untouched.

Senegal defender Moussa Niakhaté on Instagram posted an image of himself holding the trophy with a message that said: “Come and get it! They’re crazy!”

In a similar post, left back El Hadj Malick Diouf added: “It’s not what I expected … this thing isn’t going anywhere.”

Senegal’s appeal option

The case could go to a further appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

The CAF cited Article 82 of tournament regulations for its marquee event to justify the verdict enforced on appeal though not at the first hearing.

It states: “If, for any reason whatsoever a team withdraws from the competition or does not report for a match, or refuses to play, or leaves the ground before the regular end of the match without the authorisation of the referee, it shall be considered loser and shall be eliminated for good from the current competition.”

Still, the appeal verdict did seem to override the referee’s authority making field-of-play decisions.

The verdict yesterday awards Morocco their first African title since 1976 and denied Senegal their second after also lifting the trophy in 2021.

World Cup-bound teams

Any appeal by Senegal to CAS in Lausanne, Switzerland, would typically take about a year to reach a verdict — long after both teams play at the 2026 World Cup being co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.