Senegal says they will appeal after the Confederation of African Football stripped them of their Africa Cup of Nations title and awarded it to Morocco following their chaotic final in Rabat.

The match had originally ended in a 1–0 win for Senegal after extra time, with Pape Gueye scoring the decisive goal. But the game was overshadowed by controversy when Senegal’s players walked off the pitch late in stoppage time to protest a penalty awarded to Morocco. Captain Sadio Mané eventually brought the team back, and Morocco missed the spot-kick.

After reviewing Morocco’s appeal, CAF ruled that Senegal had broken the rules by leaving the field. The body stated that the team is “declared to have forfeited the match” and that the result is “officially recorded as 3-0” in Morocco’s favour.

CAF said its decision was based on regulations which state that if 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 (loser)”. The rules also say such a team “will lose its match by 3-0”.

Morocco’s federation insisted its move was procedural, saying the appeal “was never intended to contest the sporting performance” but to ensure the rules were applied. It added that it remains committed “to respecting the rules, to the clarity of the competitive framework, and to the stability of African competitions”.

The Senegalese Football Federation reacted strongly, calling the ruling “unjust, unprecedented and unacceptable” and warning that it “brings African football into disrepute”. They confirmed they will take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport “as soon as possible”.

The final itself was marked by disorder, including a near 20-minute delay and attempted pitch invasion by fans. The controversial penalty, awarded after a VAR check for a foul on Brahim Díaz, was taken late in added time but saved by Édouard Mendy.

After the ruling, some Senegal players reacted angrily online. Earlier, FIFA president Gianni Infantino had also criticised the incident, saying: “It is unacceptable to leave the field of play in this manner, and equally, violence cannot be tolerated in our sport.”