Senegal sensationally stripped of AFCON title, Morocco declared champions

AFP / France 24
by FRANCE24
March 18, 2026
4 views
3 min read

Quick Insights

The Bottom Line

The African Football Confederation stripped Senegal of the Africa Cup of Nations title and awarded it to Morocco nearly two months after a contested final.

AI Summary

The Confederation of African Football stripped Senegal of the Africa Cup of Nations title on Tuesday and declared Morocco champions, nearly two months after a chaotic final in Rabat. Senegalese players controversially walked off the pitch on January 18 during the final in protest after Morocco was awarded a penalty in late stoppage time. The decision reverses the outcome of one of the tournament's most contentious matches and represents a dramatic intervention by CAF in a completed competition. Senegal announced it will appeal the ruling. The ruling raises questions about CAF's authority to overturn match results and underscores the lingering fallout from a final that left significant acrimony between the two nations.

What's Being Done

Senegal announced it will appeal CAF's decision to overturn the match result.

Should this be getting more attention?

You Might Have Missed

Related stories from different sources and perspectives

Morocco taking AFCON title from Senegal dubbed 'joke of the century'
Global

Morocco taking AFCON title from Senegal dubbed 'joke of the century'

PRESS REVIEW – Wednesday, March 18, 2026: The Africa Cup of Nations has seen another unbelievable turn as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has stripped Senegal of their 2025 African Champions title, to give it to Morocco. Also, the Guardian reveals that the UK took part in negotiations between Iran and the United States in Geneva and had judged a war unnecessary. Next, The New York Times has a long read about weapons being smuggled from the US to Mexico. Finally, Banksy's identity is revealed.

AFP / France 24Mar 18
Morocco awarded Africa Cup of Nations title after Senegal win overturned
Global

Morocco awarded Africa Cup of Nations title after Senegal win overturned

Morocco declared the winners of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after Confederation of African Football overturns the result of their final defeat to Senegal.

BBC NewsMar 17
Senegal slams 'illegal and deeply unjust' decision to strip Africa Cup title and pledges to appeal - AP News
Global

Senegal slams 'illegal and deeply unjust' decision to strip Africa Cup title and pledges to appeal - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMioAFBVV95cUxPbGpSSVZ5NXlRYk0wZG9KZjFtcW1WTU5XUTRaVktOUjNoNGs1ekZlNlAycVVMVWNGRnJJcEQzMm5uNnItNGZ4X0tCS3A0dWt4U2pPVmJfLW9sSkJvQWxTYTVmZlJDWXZrVldBU0NfZG1heDR6MGtnUm92NGZBN3lQRk9XNEdyYlpYbGV3NU5VejgyRDZOTnFVQjN4cnJKaGUz?oc=5" target="_blank">Senegal slams 'illegal and deeply unjust' decision to strip Africa Cup title and pledges to appeal</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsMar 18
France wins back-to-back Six Nations titles after beating England 48-46 on last-second penalty - AP News
Global

France wins back-to-back Six Nations titles after beating England 48-46 on last-second penalty - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMilwFBVV95cUxQLU9NYlhUOTJ2TGo2YVlBSDFIRnNqRVQ3cHlRTDdIYlZNcl9DYmU5UTdXd1lDZFN6VmtVRXdaSXZLTnV5TVk0WllZUjVOVm90Y2V1VHRuSE5mcVBwVVRJQk1Fb2hfWWFzcHo3cF9pTWNzMDdGOG1hRHl2T1lPdmJETVdBUWZPcEJvd3I0clpFWmswVEVFT3Aw?oc=5" target="_blank">France wins back-to-back Six Nations titles after beating England 48-46 on last-second penalty</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsMar 15
A baseball title unleashes the happiness Venezuelans kept bottled up for years - AP News
Global

A baseball title unleashes the happiness Venezuelans kept bottled up for years - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiqAFBVV95cUxQZ3djQS01RnpqWUVod0VqS3VmNTBfQXdZSUZ4bVBFOUNXR2duSmFwYUVGTHRiTU05ckxVTmJvNVdOOHE0b3JCblQwT3hZVDJqNVM2VnNNdmEzd2owVGhTekRYSHFUdnhwdU0zY3o5U09ILVNUbVZFUUgzbnI2d3hCeXRNZVJWelFzR2pnOUM3aWUtYURweGN6SVE4cDZ1NENqUWlzQV9Sek4?oc=5" target="_blank">A baseball title unleashes the happiness Venezuelans kept bottled up for years</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsMar 19
Venezuela celebrates first World Baseball Classic title with national holiday - Reuters
Global

Venezuela celebrates first World Baseball Classic title with national holiday - Reuters

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiuwFBVV95cUxOMkRqb1BGVGRLazZBM1FmaGhTbjNYeW1JalZBcmQtRzVMVExJQ2Jqb2pxYktvVWZsaW5OUkNGM3Q4VEp5WTJhYk9xVjdPbnpyRGtMR1k5U2N6ZEk1X0YyQTY5X2tiLVAxQlFXVFN3S0p6RGdpaFVvU2lYRDR3Zm9zX3MwYmR3cUdUTElPUXVNbUJPdkJyMk5zR1BLZF81TkJWZTJaMElQQUtPVWpRUG5HTGNnWFRJUzh1bFdV?oc=5" target="_blank">Venezuela celebrates first World Baseball Classic title with national holiday</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>

ReutersMar 18
Read Next
US considers lifting sanctions on some Iranian oil
Global

US considers lifting sanctions on some Iranian oil

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent broached waiving sanctions on oil already at sea, which would be a stunning reversal of longstanding American policy.

Continue reading

Did this story change how you see things?

Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.

Share this story

Get the daily digest

Save for later

The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.

See our sources