The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has formally rejected the sanctions imposed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) following the chaotic 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final, describing the punishments as “excessive and unfair.”
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In a statement released on Monday, the FRMF confirmed it has initiated an appeal process and is prepared to escalate the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne if necessary.
Appeal Process Underway
CAF had earlier dismissed Morocco’s initial protest, in which the federation requested that Senegal be stripped of the AFCON title. Morocco argued that Senegal’s brief walk-off during the final should have resulted in a 3–0 forfeit, citing Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON Regulations.
Following the rejection of that protest, the FRMF has now approached the CAF Appeal Board to challenge the disciplinary sanctions imposed on Moroccan players and officials.
The federation insists that due process was not followed, claiming some affected players and staff were not given the opportunity to be heard by the disciplinary panel.
Should the CAF Appeal Board uphold the current decisions, Morocco has indicated it will take the case to CAS for independent arbitration.
Sanctions Being Challenged
CAF handed Morocco a combination of financial penalties and player suspensions amounting to a total of $315,000 in fines.
Player suspensions include:
Achraf Hakimi:
Two-match suspension, with one match suspended for a one-year probationary period.
Ismaël Saibari:
Three-match suspension and a $100,000 fine.
Financial penalties include:
$200,000 for the “inappropriate behavior” of stadium ball boys.
$100,000 for players and staff invading the Referee Review Area (RRA).
$15,000 for the use of laser pointers by supporters.
CAF clarified that the suspensions apply only to CAF-organised competitions and will not affect the players’ eligibility for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Ongoing AFCON Final Fallout
The appeal adds another layer to the fallout from the controversial AFCON 2025 final, which was marred by on-field disputes, officiating controversies, and post-match incidents.
With Morocco pressing ahead legally, the final chapter of the AFCON saga may ultimately be decided outside African football’s governing structures.
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