CAF Appeals Jury Strips Senegal Of CAN Title, Maroc Declared Champion

The Confederation of African Football’s appeals jury has withdrawn the African Cup of Nations title from Senegal and declared maroc the champion, the governing body announced Tuesday. The panel ruled the Senegal national team forfeited the final match; the original 1-0 result was homologated as a 3-0 victory in favor of Maroc.

Maroc Named Winner After Final Declared Forfeit

The appeals jury determined that Senegal would be declared to have forfeited the final, changing the match outcome from a 1-0 Senegal victory to a 3-0 result awarded to Maroc. The decision follows an incident during the final in which several Senegalese players temporarily left the pitch in protest over a refereeing decision.

The appeals panel’s action formally transfers the title to maroc and alters the official scoreline of the decisive match. The announcement was made by the Confederation of African Football’s appeals body on Tuesday.

Trial Of Senegal Supporters Opened And Immediately Postponed

A related legal proceeding concerning supporters detained after the final was opened but then postponed. The Court of Appeal in Rabat adjourned the trial after the defense requested additional time to prepare its files.

Those accused have been held in custody since the final and face charges described as hooliganism for alleged acts that include violence against law enforcement, damage to sporting equipment, invasion of the pitch, and throwing projectiles—allegations the defendants deny. Earlier sentencing in the matter saw a number of those detained handed prison terms: nine received one year, six were given six months, and three were sentenced to three months. The court postponed further proceedings to allow the defense to prepare.

The appeals jury’s ruling and the paused trial of supporters represent the two immediate, confirmed developments flowing from the final. The appeals decision changes the tournament’s official winner, while the judicial process surrounding the supporters remains in abeyance pending the next steps ordered by the appellate court.

Both matters were announced by the respective authorities handling the sports adjudication and the legal case; further procedural updates are expected as the appeals panel’s ruling is processed and as the Rabat court sets a new date to continue the supporters’ trial.