March 18, New Delhi – Senegal were sensationally stripped of the Africa Cup of Nations title as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) declared Morocco champions.
Several Senegalese players controversially walked off the pitch in Rabat during the final on January 18 in protest when the host nation were awarded a penalty late in the second half stoppage time.
After Senegal's players eventually returned, Morocco missed the penalty and Senegal won the match 1-0.
CAF said that having studied Morocco's appeal, "the Senegal national team is declared to have forfeited the match."
The CAF Appeals Committee justified its decision by applying Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON Regulations, which state that if a team "refuses to play or leaves the ground before the regular end of the match without the authorisation of the referee, it shall be considered (loser) and shall be eliminated from the current competition."
The Senegalese football federation made no immediate reaction, but they can appeal the decisions at the Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport within 10 days.
