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Morocco have been declared the winner of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after the result of their final against Senegal in January was reversed, 58 days after the match. Senegal won 1-0 in extra time thanks to Pape Gueye's finish but they have now been stripped of their title following controversy that ensued after Morocco were awarded a penalty in the 98th minute. That caused the Senegal squad to walk off the pitch and led to a 17-minute delay, with fans also clashing with security as tensions rose inside the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.

After the match was eventually restarted, Brahim Diaz's panenka penalty was saved before Gueye won it for Senegal in extra time, securing the country's second AFCON title. But now, two months later, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has declared Morocco the winners after an appeal panel ruled that Senegal forfeited the match. It means Morocco are crowned AFCON champions for the first time since 1976.

The Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) launched an appeal to be declared the victors after Senegal walked off. The CAF Disciplinary Committee rejected the petition but the Atlas Lions appealed that decision, which the appeals panel ruling in their favour on Tuesday.

A statement from The CAF read: "The CAF Appeal Board decided that in application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Senegal National Team is declared to have forfeited the Final Match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 ('the Match'), with the result of the Match being recorded as 3-0 in favour of the Federation Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).

"The Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF) Appeal Board decided today that in application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Senegal National Team is declared to have forfeited the Final Match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 (the Match), with the result of the Match being recorded as 3-0 in favour of the Federation Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).

"On the appeal by the FRMF regarding the application of Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the CAF Appeal Board made the following rulings:

"- 'The appeal lodged by the Federation Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) is declared admissible in form and the appeal is upheld.

"- The CAF Disciplinary Board decision is set aside.

"- The CAF Appeal Board further finds that the conduct of the Senegal team falls within the scope of Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations.

"- The protest lodged by the Federation Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) is upheld.

"- It is declared that the Federation Senegalaise de Football (FSF), through the conduct of its team, infringed Article 82 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations.

"- In application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations, the Senegal team is declared to have forfeited the match, with the result recorded as 3-0 in favour of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).

"- All other motions or prayers for relief are dismissed."

And the CAF Appeal Board also ruled that:

"- The appeal lodged in respect of Mr Ismael Saibari (Player No. 11 of the Morocco National Team) is partially upheld.

"- The CAF Appeal Board confirms the finding that Mr Ismael Saibari (Player No. 11 of the Morocco National Team) committed misconduct in violation of Articles 82 and 83(1) of the CAF Disciplinary Code.

"- The sanction imposed on Mr Ismael Saibari (Player No. 11 of the Morocco National Team) is amended to a suspension of two (2) official CAF matches, of which one (1) match is suspended.

"- The fine of USD 100,000 imposed on Mr Ismael Saibari (Player No. 11 of the Morocco National Team) is set aside.

"- The appeal lodged in respect of the ball boys incident is partially upheld.

"- The CAF Appeal Board confirms the finding that the Federation Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) is responsible for the conduct of the ball boys during the aforementioned match.

"- The fine imposed on the Federation Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) in respect of the ball boys incident is reduced to USD 50,000.

"- The appeal lodged in respect of the interference around the OFR/VAR review area is dismissed.

"- The fine of USD 100,000 imposed on the Federation Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) in respect of the interference around the OFR/VAR review area is confirmed.

"- The appeal lodged in respect of the laser incident is partially upheld.

"- The fine imposed on the Federation Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) in respect of the laser incident is reduced to USD 10,000.

"- All other motions or prayers for relief are dismissed."

In response, the FRMF (Royal Moroccan Football Federation) said in a statement: "The Federation wishes to recall that its approach has never been intended to challenge the sporting performance of the teams participating in this competition, but solely to request the application of the competition's regulations.