Morocco to Protest AFCON Final Result After Controversial Senegal Walk-Off

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation has announced it will take formal legal action after Sunday night’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 final ended in chaos and controversy, with Senegal beating hosts Morocco 1-0 following a late VAR-related penalty dispute and team protest. (Reuters)

The federation has lodged complaints with both the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA, arguing that the events that unfolded—especially Senegal’s mid-match walk-off in protest of a penalty award—had a significant impact on the normal course of the match and the players' performance. (Channels Television)

⚖️ Legal Action to Challenge Final Outcome

In an unprecedented move after a major AFCON final, Morocco says it will pursue legal redress and official rulings from CAF and FIFA regarding:

• The decision to award a late penalty to Morocco after a VAR review.
• The Senegal squad’s temporary walk-off protest,which paused the game for nearly 20 minutes.
• The potential impact of the delay on the Moroccan players’ performance, including star Brahim Díaz, whose penalty was subsequently missed. (Channels Television)

Morocco insists the VAR decision was correct, citing expert assessments that confirmed the referee’s call. Now, officials argue that Senegal’s protest disrupted the flow and fairness of the final—and they want football’s governing bodies to review the matter thoroughly. (Channels Television)

😡 Controversial Scenes That Sparked the Outcry

The match on Sunday was dramatic and emotional from start to finish:

• A controversial late penalty award against Senegal sparked outrage among the Lions of Teranga.
• Senegal’s manager, Pape Thiaw, instructed players to briefly leave the pitch in protest, a rare and unprecedented gesture in international football.
• After returning, Morocco’s Brahim Díaz missed the penalty, opting for a risky Panenka attempt that was comfortably saved.
• Senegal then went on to win in extra time with a decisive goal from Pape Gueye. (Sky News)

The final, contested in front of nearly 70,000 spectators in Rabat, quickly shifted from a sporting spectacle to a flashpoint for debate over officiating, fairness and respect for football’s laws. (Sky News)

📢 CAF and FIFA Respond to Fallout

FAF and FIFA leadership have already weighed in on the contentious scenes:

• FIFA President Gianni Infantino condemned the on-field walk-off and related disruptions, stating such actions are “unacceptable” and “do not honour the spirit of football.” (ESPN.com)
• CAF, the governing body of African football, has launched a disciplinary review into Senegal’s conduct and the chaotic moments at the end of regulation time. (Reuters)

These responses suggest that further sanctions, fines, or verdicts could follow — potentially affecting players, coaches, or even the Senegalese Football Federation. (Reuters)

📣 Reactions Across Africa and Beyond

The reaction to Morocco’s announcement has been intense:

• Moroccan media and fans have voiced strong support for the legal challenge, stressing that fairness must prevail and that their team was denied a fair shot at glory. (Channels Television)
• Senegalese supporters and commentators have defended their team’s actions as emotional reactions to controversial officiating, while praising Senegal’s resilience and eventual triumph. (Sky News)
• Social media debates — from Reddit threads to Twitter — are divided over the legitimacy of the protest, the impact of the delay, and whether such actions set a dangerous precedent. (Reddit)

🏆 What Happens Next?

As Morocco prepares to take its case to CAF and FIFA’s highest bodies, all eyes will be on how football’s authorities handle this unprecedented controversy. Key questions ahead include:

• Will CAF or FIFA uphold or overturn aspects of the final result?
• Could sanctions be applied to teams, officials, or staff involved?
• Will this incident influence future VAR protocols and match-abandonment rules?

With global football watching, the fallout from AFCON 2025’s most controversial final may reshape how critical officiating decisions and protests are managed in major competitions.

🔎 Stay tuned to BreakingPointNews.com for ongoing updates, reaction pieces, and expert analysis as Morocco’s protest unfolds.