AFCON: details of the CAF appeals commission decision that nailed Senegal

The CAF Board of Appeal has decided that, pursuant to Article 84 of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Regulations, the Senegal national team is declared lost in the final match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 (“the match”), with the result of the match recorded as 3-0 in favor of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).

The Board of Appeal of the Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”) decided today that, pursuant to Article 84 of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Regulations, the Senegal national team is hereby declared to have forfeited the final of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 (“the Match”), with the result of the match recorded as 3-0 in favor of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).

On the FRMF’s appeal relating to the application of articles 82 and 84 of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Regulations, the CAF Appeal Board issued the following rulings:

– “The appeal brought by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) is declared admissible in form and the appeal is accepted.

– The decision of the CAF disciplinary committee is annulled.

– The CAF Appeals Commission also considers that the conduct of the Senegalese team falls within the scope of articles 82 and 84 of the Africa Cup of Nations regulations.

– The complaint presented by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) is accepted.

– It is declared that the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), through the behavior of its team, has violated Article 82 of the Africa Cup of Nations Regulations.

– In application of article 84 of the Africa Cup of Nations Regulations, the Senegal team is declared lost by forfeit, with the result recorded as 3-0 in favor of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).

– All other motions or requests for relief are denied.”

The CAF Appeal Panel also determined that:

– “The appeal presented against Mr. Ismaël Saibari (Player no. 11 of the Morocco national team) is partially accepted.

– The CAF Board of Appeal confirms the finding that Mr. Ismaël Saibari (player no. 11 of the Morocco national team) committed misconduct in violation of Articles 82 and 83 (1) of the CAF Disciplinary Code.

– The sanction imposed on Mr. Ismaël Saibari (player no. 11 of the Moroccan national team) is changed to a suspension of two (2) official CAF matches, of which one (1) match is suspended.

– The fine of $100,000 imposed on Mr. Ismaël Saibari (player no. 11 of the Morocco national team) is cancelled.

– The appeal brought for the ball boys incident is partially accepted.

– The CAF Board of Appeal confirms the conclusion that the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) is responsible for the conduct of the ball boys during the aforementioned match.

– The fine imposed on the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) for the ball boys incident is reduced to $50,000.

– The appeal brought regarding the interference in the OFR/VAR review area is rejected.

– The $100,000 fine imposed on the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) for interference in the OFR/VAR review area is confirmed.

– The appeal brought for the laser accident is partially accepted.

– The fine imposed on the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) for the laser incident is reduced to $10,000.

– All other motions or requests for relief are denied.”