Could the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations actually end without a champion? As far-fetched as it sounds, the idea is gaining traction behind closed doors in African football circles. The reigning champions, Senegal, are facing potential disciplinary action, while Morocco is reportedly ready to reject any title awarded off the pitch. What started as an on-field incident has snowballed into a high-stakes conflict involving legal interpretation, national pride, and the credibility of the tournament itself.
The controversy erupted after a chaotic match that descended into confusion and uproar. The game was halted amid crowd disturbances, with fans breaching security and players visibly shaken. The Senegalese team, following instructions from their coach, walked off the pitch. To Moroccan officials, this was a clear case of an unjustified withdrawal, prompting the Royal Moroccan Football Federation to file a formal complaint with the Confederation of African Football (CAF). They based their claim on Article 82 of CAF’s disciplinary code, which allows for harsh penalties—including forfeiture, exclusion, and heavy fines—against any team that abandons a match without valid reason.
CAF’s disciplinary committee now has the case in hand, and an initial ruling is expected soon. But that won’t necessarily be the end of it. If the Moroccan federation deems the decision too lenient or flawed, it can appeal within CAF’s internal system. That would trigger a detailed review process, governed by international sports law, requiring a thorough justification of the verdict.
Should the internal appeal fail to resolve the dispute, Morocco could escalate the matter to FIFA. Two key provisions in FIFA’s disciplinary code would then come into play. Article 6 covers conduct that goes against the principles of international football, while Article 16 addresses serious disorder, refusal to play, and actions that damage the sport’s reputation. If both articles are deemed relevant, FIFA could impose severe penalties—up to and including exclusion from future tournaments, possibly even a ban from the 2026 World Cup.
Beyond the legal arguments, the entire saga is casting a shadow over the integrity of the Africa Cup of Nations. Stripping Senegal of its title is no longer out of the question. At the same time, Morocco is reportedly unwilling to accept a championship that hasn’t been won on the pitch. With both sides digging in, a once-unthinkable outcome is now a distinct possibility: a CAN tournament with no official winner.
This would be a first in the competition’s history. Even during its most turbulent editions, CAF has always managed to crown a champion. But this current standoff—where one title may be revoked and the other refused—could set a troubling precedent, tearing a hole in the tournament’s legacy.
For now, everything hinges on the decisions to come. CAF must determine accountability with clarity and fairness. If its ruling fails to satisfy all parties, the burden may fall on FIFA to make the final call. In the meantime, the 2025 edition—meant to unite the continent through sport—is instead becoming mired in an unprecedented regulatory storm.
