Morocco’s Royal Football Federation (FRMF) welcomed on Wednesday the decision issued by the Appeal Board of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) regarding the Morocco-Senegal final at the African Cup of Nations, noting that this verdict upholds the rules and the stability necessary for the smooth conduct of international competitions.
Since the very first incidents that led to the match’s interruption, FRMF made public and consistently reiterated its demand to “strictly apply the competition regulations,” the Federation emphasizes in a press release, clarifying that “the action taken was therefore never intended to challenge the teams’ athletic performance, but solely to demand compliance with the rules.”
Following an initial decision appealed by FRMF, CAF now acknowledges that “the rule, known to all and applicable to all, had not been honored,” the press release adds.
The FRMF has complied at all times with the rules governing the resolution of competition-related disputes, in accordance with the law, while submitting its arguments, participating in the hearings to which it was invited, and striving to uphold its rights and the rules ensuring the smooth running of competitions.
This ruling helps clarify the rules applicable to similar situations and contributes to the consistency and credibility of international competitions, particularly in African football, FRMF notes.
Thus, the FRMF emphasizes its commitment to continuing to advocate for the strict and fair application of the rules governing the competitions in which it participates, before continental and international bodies.
The Federation also intends to confidently look forward to upcoming sporting events, namely the World Cup and the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations scheduled for this summer.
The FRMF also takes the opportunity once again to commend all the nations that participated in this 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, which marked a major milestone for African football.
The CAF Appeal Board had decided, in application of Article 84 of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) Regulations, to declare Senegal’s national team forfeited in the final of the AFCON 2025 Morocco, with the result being recorded as a 3-0 victory for Morocco.
President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Patrice Motsepe, on his part, stated, In a reaction to the decision of the CAF Appeal Board, that no African country will be treated in a manner that is “more preferential, more advantageous, or more favorable.”
Motsepe emphasized that the incidents that marred the final “undermine the good work that CAF has done over many years to ensure the integrity, respect, ethics, good governance, and credibility of football match results.”
In a video posted on the official CAF website, Motsepe stated:”When I became president, one of the major concerns was the impartiality, independence, and respect for referees, as well as match commissioners, and good work has been done” in this regard.
As to the decision of the CAF Appeal Board, Motsepe noted that the independence of the continental body is reflected in the decisions made by its two bodies—the Disciplinary Board and the Appeal Board—regarding the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final between Morocco and Senegal.
“While the CAF Disciplinary Board issued a ruling, the Appeal Board took a completely different stance,” he pointed out.
“In selecting the members of our judicial bodies, we have adopted a different approach, distinct from the one that prevailed previously,” he continued, noting that CAF invited each member association as well as each of the six regional zones to propose the names of recognized judges and respected lawyers.
According to him, “it is essential that the decisions of the CAF Disciplinary Board, as well as those of the Appeal Board, be viewed with the respect and integrity that are fundamental to us.”
“If you examine the composition of these bodies, you will find that they include some of the most respected legal experts and judges on the continent,” the CAF president noted.
“We hold ourselves to very high standards,” he said, adding that “it is important for us that ordinary football supporters and spectators in each of the 54 African countries, in their judgement—not that of CAF or mine—consider the decisions of our judicial bodies to be fair, integral, and impartial.”
Reiterating that CAF takes “very seriously what happened during the final played in Morocco,” Motsepe concluded: “We have already taken significant steps to ensure that the areas identified as having shortcomings and requiring improvements undergo the necessary reforms.”
