Is CAF Biased? Inside the Controversial Decision to Hand Morocco the Trophy

To examine this effectively, let us look at the pattern of events. Over time, Morocco has clashed with almost every nation with which it has competed. In this season’s tournament, at least four nations officially expressed public grievances and displeasure towards what could be called favouritism towards Morocco, the host nation. These countries include Tanzania, Cameroon, Nigeria and the most vocal Senegal.

During round 16, Tanzania lodged a complaint about a penalty that the referee ignored and flagged off, failing to consult VAR, while he awarded Morocco, the host nation, a similar penalty. They saw this as inconsistent officiating.

In the quarter-final, Cameroon also lodged similar complaints over two penalties that referee failed to award. They also voiced out their displeasure stating that if any opponent committed a foul against the host nation, the referee would be very quick to blow the whistle, not the same way he treated other nations. This led them to confront CAF officials openly, earning them a disciplinary probe, instead of a penalty.

Again, during the semi-final, Nigerian fans and officials lodged an official complaint after Morocco defeated them. They complained of the host nation’s hostility, unfair refereeing and pointed that the referee issues Calvin Bassey an undeserving yellow card.

Despite these allegations, there are complaints that CAF officials didn’t take actions to investigate these allegations. This is probably what deepened many people’s suspicions.

The During the finals, Senegal scored a goal at 90+2’. The referee disallowed the goal. Towards the crucial end of the game, at 90+8’, the referee awarded Morocco a penalty. Brahim Díaz had a penalty saved, VAR review led to this award because El Hadji Malick Diouf had fouled him. This decision infuriated the Senegalese team, making them walk off the pitch during regulation time.

They determined not to go ahead with the game, obviously dissatisfied with their goal that was flagged off and the penalty that was awarded to Morocco. They left the pitch at 90+12’. However, at 90+21’, a few minutes later, the Senegalese team returned to the pitch to continue playing the game, an action that later proved both rewarding and controversial. The referee permitted the game to continue.

At 94’ Pape Gueye scored and the game ended in a 1-0 win for the Senegal team. The Senegalese were crowned champions. In a twisting turn of events, CAF later named Morocco the AFCON Champions for 2025, overturning the initial judgement.

CAF recorded a 3-0 forfeit win for Morocco. Senegal, being the most vocal critic, refused to accept the judgement, citing it as “unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable,” with claims of corruption. They have requested an independent international investigation.

Is CAF really biased? On what grounds did they overturn the initial winners?

After the game, Moroccan team made an immediate appeal to cancel the result. CAF dismissed it at that time. However, two months later, CAF changed its mind and stripped Senegal of the championship title.

Here is CAF’s reason for changing the championship winners.

The CAF appeal board decided that Senegal’s team infringed on Article 82 of the Regulations of the African Cup of Nations. It states: “If, for any reason whatsoever, a team withdraws from the competition or does not report for a match, or refuses to play or leaves the ground before the regular end of the match without the authorisation of the referee, it shall be considered the loser and shall be eliminated for good from the current competition.” Source: Al Jazeera Live.

Article 84 mandates that any team that violates articles 82 and 83 will lose the match by 3-0 unless the opponents already had a more advantageous score before that time.

Also, interestingly, article 5 of the IFAB law of games says that the referee has the final say, and the referee is the final judge. Whatever the referee decides on the pitch is final. The referee had the right to disqualify Senegal when they left the team, but he didn’t.

When they came back, he let the game continue. Senegal scored and the referee blew the final whistle.

The CAF Appeal Board also confirms the finding that Mr Ismaël Saibari (Player No. 11 of the Morocco National Team) violated Articles 82 and 83(1) of the CAF Disciplinary Code. He was suspended from two official CAF matches and a fine of $100,000 imposed on him. However, on 18th March, CAF cancelled the fine and one of the matches was suspended.

The big question is, why dismiss Morocco’s appeal initially and then suddenly take it up?

Again, if Senegal’s goal was to be disallowed, it should have been done right there on the pitch, not two months after they had been handed the trophy.

Another argument holds that Article 84 is implemented if Articles 82 and 83 are defaulted. Article 83 dictates a forfeit for a team that fails to arrive at the pitch within 15 minutes of kick-off time. They didn’t breach 83.

Based on the rules, is CAF right? Yes, that is on paper. But considering Article 5 of the IFAB law of games, which is part of the rules they made themselves, which enabled the referee to have a final say in that match, stripping Senegal of the title seems biased.

Senegal was given a ten-day window to appeal. The Senegalese football federation has confirmed that it will appeal before the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne. Currently, reports claim that the title award has been frozen, pending final judgement.

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