The Confédération africaine de football (CAF) has officially stripped Sénégal of its victory in the Coupe d’Afrique des Nations (CAN) to the benefit of Maroc, two months after the final whistle. This decision follows a legal challenge by the Moroccan delegation, who hosted the tournament. Beyond the ruling itself, it is the unusual timeline that has sparked widespread confusion.
The longest final in football history
The dispute began immediately after the match on January 18. Maroc contested the outcome based on Articles 82 and 84 of the FIFA regulations, which state that leaving the pitch results in an automatic forfeit. While initial sanctions were limited to a five-match suspension for coach Pape Tiaw, the final verdict was only delivered recently at 10:30 PM, catching the public off guard. Even the Moroccan representatives expressed that while they sought legal adherence, they did not wish for it to overshadow the athletic performance.
The Sénégal football federation has already announced it will take the case to the Tribunal arbitral du sport (TAS) to appeal the decision. The sports community remains split: some emphasize the need for strict regulatory compliance, while others argue that a trophy won on the field should not be taken away months later. This legal battle is turning the event into what many call the longest final in the history of football.
