The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has delivered a landmark ruling following the controversial AFCON 2025 final, rejecting Morocco's protest to overturn the result and confirming Senegal as champions. Senegal secured their second continental trophy with a 1-0 victory over hosts Morocco in Rabat, a match significantly overshadowed by a dramatic 17-minute stoppage. This interruption occurred when Senegal's players briefly walked off the pitch in protest against a late VAR-awarded penalty to Morocco, which Brahim Diaz subsequently missed.

Morocco's football federation, the Federation Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF), had lodged a formal complaint, arguing that Senegal’s walkout violated Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON Regulations, contending it constituted a withdrawal from the match and had a "material impact" on the outcome. However, the CAF Disciplinary Board dismissed the protest in its entirety, asserting that the result on the field stands. Despite retaining the trophy, both federations faced severe disciplinary actions and substantial financial penalties from CAF.

Senegal's head coach, Pape Bouna Thiaw, received a significant five-match suspension and a USD 100,000 fine for his role in the chaotic scenes. Thiaw was cited for "unsporting conduct" and violating the principles of "fair play and integrity" by instructing his players to leave the field, which the board ruled brought the game into disrepute. This ban will keep him off the touchline for the majority of Senegal’s upcoming official CAF assignments. Additionally, two key Senegalese players, Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr, were each suspended for two official CAF matches due to their aggressive behaviour towards match officials.

The Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF) was hit with a combined financial penalty of USD 615,000. This includes a USD 300,000 fine for the improper conduct of its supporters, which brought the game into disrepute, and another USD 300,000 for the unsporting conduct of their players and technical staff, violating CAF Disciplinary Code principles of fair play, loyalty, and integrity. An earlier USD 15,000 fine was also issued due to five different Senegalese players receiving cautions during the ill-tempered final.

Morocco also faced significant disciplinary action. The FRMF was fined USD 200,000 for the inappropriate behaviour of the stadium’s ball boys. A further USD 100,000 fine was imposed for the improper conduct of their national team players and technical staff, who invaded the VAR review area and obstructed the referee’s work. Moreover, the FRMF incurred a USD 15,000 fine for the use of lasers by its supporters during the match. Individual Moroccan stars were not spared: Ismaël Saibari received a three-match suspension and a USD 100,000 fine, while captain Achraf Hakimi was handed a two-match ban for unsporting behaviour, with one match suspended for a year from the decision date.

While the Lions of Teranga can celebrate their status as African champions, the extensive disciplinary measures underscore the financial and professional costs of the controversial final for both nations, marking one of the most significant disciplinary interventions in the tournament's history.