AFCON Controversy: Patrice Evra Slams CAF's 'Disgraceful' Decision on AFCON Final

Patrice Evra, former French International

Patrice Evra joins protests against CAF's decision on AFCON final, calling it a 'disgrace'. CAF strips Senegal of 2025 AFCON title, awards to Morocco amid controversy over walk-off protest.

Morocco declared AFCON 2025 champions after Senegal's walk-off protest leads to forfeiture...

Former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra has slammed the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for stripping Senegal of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title and awarding it to Morocco, calling it a “disgrace.” The decision was made after Senegal walked off the pitch in protest against a late penalty awarded to Morocco in the final.

The CAF Appeal Board ruled that Senegal forfeited the match, citing Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON regulations, and awarded Morocco a 3-0 win. Senegal has announced plans to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Senegal won the Africa Cup of Nations final 1-0 against Morocco in Rabat, thanks to Pape Gueye's goal. However, their victory was short-lived as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeals Committee overturned the result 54 days later, citing Senegal's temporary walk-off in protest of a penalty awarded to Morocco.

Senegal plans to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, calling the decision “unprecedented and unacceptable.”

The statement by CAF came 54 days after the final was held. It read in part: “Following an appeal by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), the CAF Appeals Committee deemed the appeal admissible on procedural grounds and well-founded on its merits.

“It thus overturned the initial decision of the Disciplinary Committee, finding that the Senegalese team’s conduct should be sanctioned according to Articles 82 and 84 of the tournament’s regulations.”

Patrice Evra, the 44-year-old former French national team player, has slammed the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for stripping Senegal of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title and awarding it to Morocco, calling it a “disgrace” and a “scandal” for African football. Evra expressed his outrage on social media, stating that Senegal was the rightful winner and questioning the credibility of the competition.

AFCON Decision Sparks Outrage: 'Scandalous'

“It’s a disgrace for African football. A scandal,” said Evra in a video posted on his social media pages. “We all saw with our own eyes that Senegal won.”

Evra added: “My Moroccan brothers, I love you, but at some point, you have to put a stop to it, guys.”

Evra slammed CAF's decision, saying it's damaged the competition's image. “When I heard the news, I thought it was April 1st,” he added.

“The Africa Cup of Nations has truly lost all credibility. When I received the notification, I thought it was an April Fool's joke,” added Evra.

“Nothing surprises me in football anymore, and that’s why I watch less. Decisions like this are a scandal.”

Senegal midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye has reacted to CAF’s verdict. The Everton star wrote on his social media pages; “Titles, trophies, medals… all of that is fleeting. What really matters is that every supporter can return home and be reunited with their family.

“The Senegalese people have shown their true colours: dignity in victory, and dignity in hardship. That is what Teranga is all about. We know what we went through that night in Rabat.

“And no one can take that away from us, inshallah.”

Senegal to Defend Title

Senegal's Football Federation Secretary General, Abdoulaye Seydou Sow, has described the Confederation of African Football's (CAF) decision to strip Senegal of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title as “incomprehensible.” Sow argues that a title won on the field cannot be taken away in this manner. The Senegalese Football Federation plans to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

“The CAF appeals jury’s decision is incomprehensible. We cannot accept that a title won on the field be stripped away in this manner,” explained Sow.

“Senegal will use all means to have its rights restored. The Senegalese Football Federation is already working with lawyers to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne.

“We will pursue this procedure to the end to defend our position.”

Morocco's Ismael Saibari had his sanction amended to a two-match suspension, with one match suspended, for misconduct during the Africa Cup of Nations final against Senegal. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeals Board also set aside the $100,000 fine initially imposed on Saibari.

I LOVE THIS GAME 🦍🔥🤣 pic.twitter.com/Y7cvrPFRqu

— Patrice Evra (@Evra) March 18, 2026

The amended sanction comes after CAF's Appeals Board ruled that Senegal forfeited the match due to their walk-off protest, awarding Morocco the title. Senegal plans to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).