January 18, 2026 is a date marked with a red marker on the calendar by the Moroccan population. That day Morocco could have won the Africa Cup of Nations again at home, after over 50 years (the only success dates back to 1976). However, not all fairy tales guarantee a happy ending in reality, especially when bad decisions are made, like that of Brahim Diazwho in taking the penalty at 0-0 against Senegal had attempted a risky “spoon” to say the least, making a mistake, only to then see the dream finally fade awaythe 119th with Pape Gueye’s goal.
So far it would seem like the description of a normal – certainly dramatic, but regular – football final. But rewinding the tape briefly, we understand that it is the furthest from being “normal” final in the history of football. 16 minutes passed between the award and the penalty kick taken by Brahim Diaz — an eternity — because the Senegal players, furious at the penalty awarded to their opponent byreferee Jean-Jacques Ndalathey decided to abandon the field in protest.
It ends up with stamped papers, the Moroccan Federation (FRMF) file an official complaint with Disciplinary Commission of the CAF (Confédération Africaine de Football, the governing body of football in Africa)asking for it to be 3-0 and citing the rules on leaving the pitch. In the first instance, however, the Disciplinary Commission rejected the appeal: «Since the Senegal team returned to the field and the match ended regularly under the direction of the referee, a definitive abandonment cannot be considered».
Morocco doesn’t agree and turns to the CAF Appeals Commission, a higher body. From Rabat, citing Article 84 of the African Nations Cup Regulations, they argue that the referee should have blown the whistle to end the match the moment the Senegalese players returned to the changing rooms. According to Moroccan lawyers, the simple act of turning one’s back to the pitch and interrupting the game for more than a quarter of an hour constitutes an irremediable infringement.
The matter ends only on March 17, 2026. With a sentence that overturns the previous verdict. The judges ruled that Senegal’s “spontaneous return” does not nullify the severity of the initial abandonment.
As a result, Senegal’s title is revoked and awarded to Morocco with a 3-0 victory. It is the first time in history that a final of a major international competition has been decided in a courtroom two months after the awards ceremony. While the celebrations exploded in Casablanca and Rabat (albeit late), Senegal has already announced that it will appeal to the CAS (Tribunal of Arbitration for Sport) in Lausanne for a last, desperate legal battle.
