Morocco has announced intentions to petition FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) over the Senegal national team’s walkout during the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 final.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation announced its intentions after Senegal clinched the 2025 AFCON trophy.
The Senegalese team’s walkout followed a referee’s decision to award a penalty kick, which FRMF stated was deemed correct by all experts in a statement released on its official X on Monday.
“The Royal Moroccan Football Federation announces that it will pursue legal action with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA regarding the Senegalese national team’s withdrawal from the final match against Morocco and the subsequent events following the referee’s decision to award a penalty kick, a decision deemed correct by all experts,” the statement read.
The federation added that the incident “significantly impacted the normal flow of the match and the players’ performance.”
Additionally, it thanked Moroccan supporters for their “loyalty to the national team through their massive attendance and exemplary support in all of the national team’s matches and other tournaments.”
It also expressed gratitude to everyone who helped make the continental championship a success.
The final, which took place on Sunday at the Stade Mohammed V in Rabat, turned into chaos in the last seconds of regular time.
In the eighth minute of extra time, host Morocco was awarded a penalty after Senegal’s goal was disallowed due to offside.
Security had to step in as Senegal’s head coach, Pape Thiaw, took his players off the field in protest due to discontent.
The Senegalese team was eventually convinced to come back. Goalkeeper Édouard Mendy stopped Morocco’s penalty, forcing extra time.
Senegal won the AFCON thanks to a goal by midfielder Pape Gueye in the fourth minute of the first half of extra time.
Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, has condemned the behavior, and CAF has stated that it is examining the video and will forward it to disciplinary authorities so that those responsible can face consequences.
