Morocco v Senegal Final: Senegal Faces Severe Punishment, World Cup Exclusion As FIFA Takes Over Case

AFCON 2025 Final: Senegal Faces Severe Punishment, World Cup Exclusion As FIFA Takes Over Case

Sampson Adedeji

FIFA has reportedly taken direct control of the controversy surrounding the Morocco v Senegal final, raising the stakes for the Senegalese Football Federation amid fears of severe sanctions, including possible exclusion from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, BSNSports.com.ng reports

According to multiple reports, FIFA’s Integrity Unit has become independently involved in the investigation and has administratively removed the case from the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

The world football governing body is said to have formally notified CAF to suspend any internal decisions on the matter pending a full review of evidence by FIFA investigators.

The intervention is understood to be linked to concerns within FIFA over the handling of the final, with suspicions that internal pressure or collusion may have influenced CAF’s decision-making process.

One of the most serious allegations emerging from the investigation is the reported discovery of a phone call during a 17-minute stoppage in the match.

Technical findings allegedly point to communication between a senior Senegalese official positioned in the stadium’s upper section and members of the technical staff inside the tunnel during the interruption.

If confirmed, this development could significantly alter the narrative of the incident. It would suggest that the decision to withdraw from the match was not the result of spontaneous player actions, but rather an administrative directive issued at the highest level.

Such an act could fall under the category of sports corruption, with references being made to Article 84 of the regulations, which provides for dismissal and forced withdrawal in cases of proven manipulation.

Within CAF, a “serious” and unprecedented scenario is also said to be under consideration. 

Reports indicate that Senegal could be stripped of the title without Morocco being immediately declared champions. 

Instead, the title could be left vacant until 2025, pending a final ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). 

While this would represent a major blow to Senegal, it would also officially remove its status as champions, a development viewed as a partial victory for Morocco. 

Even more alarming for Senegal is the reported threat of comprehensive sanctions from FIFA.

Beyond CAF-level punishment, FIFA is said to be considering a ban from the 2026 World Cup should it be established that the withdrawal was an administrative manoeuvre designed to disrupt an official match, in violation of FIFA statutes and the principle of continuity of play.

Sources indicate that Morocco has submitted what is described as “technical evidence,” including tunnel video footage and precise timing records, to support its position.

FIFA’s involvement is seen as a signal that the global body intends to apply the rules strictly, without leniency, in cases involving match withdrawal and regulatory breaches.

For now, CAF is reportedly in a state of administrative paralysis, awaiting clearance and direction from FIFA’s Integrity Unit. This situation is believed to explain the absence of any official statement from CAF as the investigation continues.