The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has announced its intention to lodge a formal legal complaint with both the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA.
The action stems from the unprecedented events during and after AFCON final match between Morocco and Senegal, which saw the Senegalese team stage a temporary walkoff the pitch.
The controversy erupted in the dying moments of regular time when the match referee awarded a penalty kick to Morocco, a decision unanimously confirmed by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) officials. In protest, the entire Senegalese squad, led by their coaching staff, exited the field of play and retreated to their dressing room, refusing to continue.
The situation was only resolved following the direct intervention of Senegal’s captain, Sadio Mané, who persuaded his teammates to return to the pitch after a significant delay. Upon resumption, Moroccan Real Madrid forward stepped up to take the crucial spot-kick but saw his effort saved by Senegal’s goalkeeper, sending the match into 30 minutes of extra time.
The emotional and tactical momentum of the game was irrevocably shifted. Senegal capitalised on the disruption, scoring the match’s only goal in extra time to secure a 1-0 victory and advance in the tournament.
In its official statement, the FRMF argues that the walkout and the ensuing incidents “significantly affected the normal course of the match and the morale of the players.”
The federation contends that these actions constitute a breach of competition regulations and the spirit of the game, warranting formal disciplinary review by football’s governing bodies.
While pursuing this legal avenue, the Moroccan federation also extended its “sincere thanks” to the nation’s supporters for their “exemplary support” throughout the tournament and acknowledged all contributors to the event’s success.
The complaint now places the spotlight on CAF and FIFA, who must adjudicate whether Senegal’s protest, though temporary, crossed a disciplinary line and unfairly impacted the match’s outcome.
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