Former France international Samir Nasri has strongly criticized Confederation of African Football after its controversial decision to strip Senegal national football team of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title and award it to Morocco national football team.
“If they had made a statement on the evening of the match or the next day, we would understand, but this… Will they do it in 2035 next time? It’s ridiculous,” Nasri said.
“It’s yet another discreditation of CAF.”
CAF’s ruling came on March 17, 2026, two months after the final, following a successful appeal by Morocco over Senegal’s mid-match walk-off during the final in Rabat.
Although Senegal initially won the match 1–0 after extra time, CAF’s Appeal Board ruled that their 15-minute protest, which saw players leave the pitch over a VAR penalty decision, constituted a breach of tournament rules.
The result was overturned to a 3–0 forfeit victory for Morocco, handing the Atlas Lions their first AFCON title since 1976.
The incident occurred late in regulation time when a penalty was awarded to Morocco after a VAR review.
Senegal’s players walked off in protest before eventually returning, reportedly convinced by captain Sadio Mane. The penalty, taken by Brahim Diaz, was missed, and Senegal went on to score the winner in extra time.
Nasri questioned the timing and logic of CAF’s decision, pointing out that Senegal had already celebrated the victory with fans and physically lifted the trophy.
The Senegalese Football Federation has since confirmed it will challenge the ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, describing the decision as ‘unprecedented and unacceptable’.
The controversy has sparked widespread debate, with many pundits arguing that overturning an on-field result long after the final whistle could damage the credibility of African football on the global stage.
