AFCON 2025. After the CAF verdict, Morocco decides to appeal

According to our information, the decision was expected, with Morocco confident in its case.

This verdict, issued by the disciplinary panel after the incidents in the 2025 AFCON final, rejected Morocco’s claim that Senegalese players abandoned the field — an act that, under the regulations, should have resulted in a forfeit.

In detail, the Moroccan side was heavily penalized: Ismaël Saibari received a three-match suspension and a $100,000 fine, while Achraf Hakimi was suspended for two matches. The FRMF also faces several fines totaling $315,000 for the behavior of ball boys, the use of lasers, and the invasion of the VAR area invasion by technical staff.

In detail, Morocco was heavily penalized: Ismaël Saibari received a three-match suspension and a $100,000 fine, while Achraf Hakimi was suspended for two matches. The FRMF also faces fines totaling $315,000 for the behavior of ball boys, the use of lasers, and the invasion of the VAR area by technical staff.

However, the verdict appears disproportionate and unfair to the national team. While Senegal’s management was heard by the committee, Morocco’s players were reportedly sanctioned without being given the chance to defend themselves.

The lack of proportionality in the penalties has also been criticized, as it seems that the panel sought to artificially balance the sanctions between the two federations despite the undeniable severity of the violations committed by the Senegalese team.

The FRMF will now bring the case before the appeals committee.

Morocco-Senegal: hands down an unjust and baffling verdict