MOROCCO DECLARED AFCON CHAMPIONS – Their appeal to the CAF’s disciplinary committee was upheld
Morocco have been declared Africa Cup of Nations champions after their appeal to the Confederation of African Football’s disciplinary committee over the result of January’s final was upheld.
Morocco lost the match in Rabat 1-0 to Senegal after extra time, but not before Senegal had staged a walk-off after having a penalty awarded against them near the end of regulation time. The match resumed after the walk-off with Senegal scoring in extra time, but CAF’s Appeal Board decided that Senegal had forfeited the match, with the result now being recorded as 3–0 in favour of Morocco.
CAF’s disciplinary board had rejected Morocco’s initial protest, but the appeal board found in their favour, with the decision announced.
It said the conduct of the Senegal team fell “within the scope of Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations”, which state that “if, for any reason whatsoever, a team refuses to play or leaves the ground before the regular end of the match without the authorisation of the referee, it shall be considered the loser and shall be eliminated for good from the current competition”.
The decision means Morocco are crowned African champions for the second time, 50 years after they won the Cup of Nations for the first time.
