Morocco have announced their intention to pursue legal action following the outcome of the Africa Cup of Nations final against Senegal, which was decided after a series of controversial incidents during Sunday’s match in Rabat.
Morocco were defeated 1-0 after extra time, with Senegal securing the trophy following a tense and disrupted final. The decisive moments came at the end of normal time, when Morocco were awarded a penalty after a video assistant referee review ruled that Senegal defender contact on Brahim Diaz warranted a spot kick.
Following the referee’s decision, Senegal players and members of the technical staff left the field in protest. The interruption lasted approximately fourteen minutes before play resumed. Diaz subsequently missed the penalty, and the match continued into extra time, where Senegal scored the winning goal.
In an official statement, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation confirmed that it would seek clarification and redress from the Confederation of African Football and FIFA. The federation said it would pursue legal action to rule on the walk off by the Senegal national team during the final, as well as on the surrounding circumstances following the award of what it described as a penalty deemed correct by experts.
The statement added that the interruption had a significant impact on the normal course of the match and affected the performance of the players. While Morocco have not specified the exact outcome they are seeking, the move signals a formal challenge to the events that influenced the conclusion of the final.
Earlier on Monday, FIFA president Gianni Infantino and the Confederation of African Football condemned the conduct of Senegal players and members of the coaching staff during the incident. Infantino said that leaving the field of play and any form of violence had no place in football, stressing that decisions by match officials must be respected at all times.
He added that teams must compete within the Laws of the Game, warning that actions such as walk offs risk undermining the integrity of the sport. CAF also confirmed that it is reviewing match footage and stated that disciplinary proceedings will follow, while condemning what it described as unacceptable behaviour from players and officials.
The controversy has cast a shadow over the Africa Cup of Nations final, with governing bodies now expected to assess the incident and determine whether further action is required.
