Penalties Not Proportional: Morocco Appeal AFCON Sanctions
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has confirmed it will formally appeal the sanctions imposed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in the aftermath of the dramatic TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations 2025 final.
The decision was announced on Tuesday and follows disciplinary measures issued by CAF’s Disciplinary Committee after the controversial final played on 18 January 2026. The match, which saw Senegal defeat hosts Morocco 1–0, was overshadowed by a mid-game walk-off by the Senegalese team and subsequent scenes of crowd disorder.
In an official statement, the FRMF described the sanctions as “not proportionate to the gravity and seriousness of the events” that unfolded during the showpiece fixture.
Dispute Over Handling of Match Abandonment
Morocco’s appeal is centred on what it describes as a failure to adequately address a breakdown of sporting order during the final. Play was suspended for nearly 15 minutes after Senegal’s technical staff instructed players to leave the pitch in protest of a VAR-awarded penalty in Morocco’s favour.
Although the match later resumed and Senegal went on to claim the title, Moroccan officials insist the temporary withdrawal set a dangerous precedent and should have triggered more severe disciplinary consequences under CAF regulations, including the possibility of forfeiture.
Instead, CAF’s Disciplinary Committee opted for a series of financial penalties and multi-match bans affecting individuals from both teams.
FRMF Challenges Sanctions Against Moroccan Personnel
The FRMF is also contesting sanctions imposed on its own members, most notably a three-match suspension handed to midfielder Ismaël Saibari. Moroccan authorities have labelled these measures “unfounded,” arguing that their players were not responsible for the sequence of events that led to the match’s disruption.
According to the federation, the unrest inside the stadium—including pitch invasions and violent incidents—stemmed primarily from the opposition’s refusal to continue play and what they describe as a failure in crowd control and security management.
Lekjaa Raises Concerns with CAF Leadership
FRMF President Fouzi Lekjaa has already conveyed Morocco’s position directly to CAF President Patrice Motsepe, formally outlining the federation’s objections to the disciplinary outcome and calling for a reassessment of the case.
As the appeal process begins, the matter is expected to reignite debate around match governance, disciplinary consistency and crisis management at Africa’s biggest football stage.
The outcome of Morocco’s appeal could carry significant implications for future CAF competitions, particularly in how on-field protests, VAR disputes and crowd disturbances are handled during high-stakes matches.
