Calls Grow For AFCON Trophy To Be Returned To Morocco Following CAF Ruling

Calls Grow for AFCON Trophy to Be Returned to Morocco Following CAF Ruling Pressure is mounting over the fate of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations AFCON trophy after the Confederation of African Football CAF officially awarded the continental title to Morocco, prompting renewed calls for Senegal to return the trophy to the Atlas Lions. The controversy stems from CAF’s Appeal Board decision to overturn the result of the AFCON final, ruling that Senegal had forfeited the match after its players temporarily walked off the pitch in protest during the closing stages of the contest. Under Article 84 of the competition regulations, CAF recorded the final as a 3–0 victory for Morocco, effectively stripping Senegal of the championship and declaring the hosts African champions. Following the ruling, football stakeholders and supporters have urged Senegal to hand over the AFCON trophy to Morocco in line with CAF’s decision. However, Senegal’s football federation has rejected the verdict and filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport CAS, maintaining that the title was won on the field of play. The unprecedented decision has divided opinion across African football, with critics questioning CAF’s handling of the matter while others argue that the governing body merely enforced its competition regulations. Until the legal process concludes, the dispute remains one of the most controversial episodes in AFCON history.