Scotland to face AFCON Champions at World Cup as result of final overturned amid 'ugly' walk-off controversy
The CAF have awarded Morocco the title despite losing 1-0 to Senegal in the final in January.
Scotland’s World Cup opponents Morocco have been awarded the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) overturned the result of the final.
Steve Clarke’s men will face the newly-crowned African champions in the second of their three World Cup group stage matches in Boston. Scotland will also face Haiti and Brazil during the summer at their first appearance in the finals since 1998.
Morocco, who have since parted company with their manager after losing on home soil, were defeated 1-0 by Senegal in the final after extra time. However, the match wasn’t without its controversy as the Senegal manager ordered his players to leave the field in the last minute after Morocco were awarded a dubious penalty. What followed was a 17 minute delay to the match, which caused, what FIFA President Gianni Infantino described as ‘ugly scenes’ both on the pitch and in the stands.
CAF statement on AFCON final result reversal
Following an appeal made by the Moroccan FA, the CAF came to the conclusion that Senegal’s protests breached several AFCON regulations and as a result, they have now been stripped of their title. A CAF statement read: “The CAF Appeal Board decided today that in application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations, the Senegal National Team is declared to have forfeited the Final Match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025, with the result of the Match being recorded as 3–0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (Morocco).”
Why have Morocco been subsequently awarded the AFCON title?
In a tournament that was plagued by allegations of corruption in favour of the hosts from start to finish, Senegal winger Ismaela Sarr scored in the last minute to win the final, however this was controversially disallowed by referee Jean Jacques-Ndala, who adjudged there to have been a foul in the build-up. Minutes later, after a VAR review, Morocco were awarded a penalty for El Hadji Malick Diouf’s challenge on Brahim Diaz.
Enraged by the incidents, Senegal Coach Pape Thiaw ordered his side to leave the field of play in protest, with the exception of former Liverpool winger Sadio Mane who decided to stay. After a 17 minute delay, Senegal eventually returned to the pitch and Edouard Mendy saved Diaz’ ‘Panenka’ penalty attempt as the referee immediately blew the full time whistle.
In extra time, Villareal midfielder Pape Gueye scored after four minutes, which ended up being the difference between the two sides on the night. However the CAF have now awarded a 3-0 win in favour of the Moroccans, 93 days before they meet Scotland at the Gilette Stadium on the world’s biggest stage.