Nearly 80 days after the dramatic final between the Senegal national football team and the Morocco national football team, new details have surfaced, further deepening the controversy surrounding AFCON 2025.
Initially won 1-0 by Senegal after extra time, the match was later overturned by the Confederation of African Football, which awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory by default. This decision triggered outrage in Senegal, prompting an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
According to revelations from Spanish outlet AS, the Senegalese delegation allegedly failed to comply with several organizational directives. The media claims that “the Senegalese ignored several recommendations from the organizers before and during the final,” suggesting a possible attempt to shape the narrative in case of controversy. The report also revisits the dispute over accommodation at the Mohammed VI complex, where Senegal had raised concerns about confidentiality and possible “spying,” claims that AS disputes by noting other teams had no issues at the same facility.
The most explosive moment remains the end of the match, when a penalty was awarded to Morocco following a foul on Brahim Diaz. In protest, Senegalese players left the pitch, causing a 30-minute interruption. AS further alleges that instructions were given to referee Jean-Jacques Ngambo Ndala to avoid sanctioning certain Senegalese players, potentially preventing expulsions. These new claims are likely to reignite tensions and intensify the already heated debate surrounding AFCON 2025.
