A top Confederation of African Football (CAF) official has apologised in a rare public statement to Morocco’s national team for the tumultuous Africa Cup of Nations 2025 final, claiming that Morocco was treated unfairly and that the rules were not correctly enforced.

Mauritius FA president and CAF executive committee member Samir Sobha told The Guardian that he wanted Morocco’s federation to accept an apology.

“I want to beg the Moroccan Football Association to pardon us for the wrong we did to them. In this match, the rules have not been followed as they ought to have been.

They were robbed, according to Sobha. Sobha maintained that once Senegal departed the pitch, they ought to have been automatically punished.

 “It’s clear that after the Senegalese team left the field, all the players should have been sanctioned with a yellow card,” he said. At the same time, he stressed the trophy should not be taken away because “what happened has happened.”  

His remarks revive debate about the controversial final played in Rabat on January 18, when Senegal controversial win against Morocco 1-0 after extra time.  

The match descended into chaos late in regulation after Morocco were awarded a clear penalty following a VAR review. Senegal’s players walked off in protest, causing a 14‑minute delay before returning.  

When play resumed, Brahim Diaz missed the penalty, and Senegal later won in extra time through Pape Gueye’s 94th‑minute goal.

Reports said captain Sadio Mane helped convince his teammates to come back onto the pitch.   CAF condemned the “unacceptable behaviour” in the final, said it was reviewing footage, and promised action through its disciplinary bodies.  

Weeks later, however, the federation issued sanctions that observers deemed shocking and unfair, , including only a five‑match ban and $100,000 fine for Senegal coach Pape Thiaw, a $615,000 fine for the Senegal federation, and two‑match suspensions for Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr.

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