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A senior Confederation of African Football (CAF) official has issued a rare public apology to Morocco’s national team over the chaotic Africa Cup of Nations 2025 final, saying the rules were not applied correctly and Morocco was treated unfairly.
Samir Sobha, president of the Mauritius FA and a member of CAF’s executive committee, told The Guardian he wanted Morocco’s federation to accept an apology.
“I want to plead with the Moroccan FA to forgive us for the injustice done to them. The rules have not been respected, as they should have been in this match. They were robbed,” Sobha said.
Sobha argued that Senegal should have faced automatic punishment once they left the field. “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.
Morocco were also fined $315,000, while Achraf Hakimi and Ismael Saibari received bans for incidents late in the game. Morocco announced it would appeal, but the bid to overturn the result was rejected.
In the same interview with The Guardian, Sobha also criticized CAF’s internal governance.
He said Secretary-General Véron Mosengo‑Omba is no longer legally in office after his extension ended in October 2025.
“As per the statutes, he is occupying the seat illegally right now,” Sobha said, urging CAF president Patrice Motsepe to “rectify this position.”
CAF’s disciplinary ruling has already been applied, but debate in Morocco has only grown because many felt the penalties were too light for what happened in the Africa Cup of Nations final.
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May God punish this man, brain and everything he holds dear 10x. Senegal did the right thing by standing toe 2 toe against the CAF, Morocco and the Devil
Senegal had the ⚽⚽⚽ to stand up to Morroco. Senegal's win was well deserved.
Rubbish Talk 😈😈
What kind of insanity is this? Who is this idiot?
Morocco was the disappointing team in that tournament.
They should address the petition against Dr Congo and let's know where we stand.
Total rubbish!
What happens to the ref who was much below par in performance that night and almost ruined the match?
Next year absolutely no national team should accept to play. This is what will send the message home.
SORE LOSERS.
Oga shut up joor, make we hear word, this your story na story for the gods. If Brahim Diaz has scored that his weak leprosy infested PANEKA Penalty, you will not come out here YANNING OPATA from your mouth 👄. Senegal were DESTINED to become the champion 🏆 of Africa. Take it or leave it. You guys should allow sleeping dogs lie.
You are a racist. Morocco want to rub Senegal after rubbing NIGERIA but Senigal was proactive and stopped it . So oga getat