The captain of Morocco’s men’s football team, Achraf Hakimi has publicly rejected the Confederation of African Football (CAF’s) verdict on the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title.
Following a controversial administrative ruling that stripped Senegal of its trophy, the Paris Saint-Germain star made it clear that results in football are earned on the pitch.
Hakimi who stressed that Senegal is the rightful winner also called on his teammates to reject CAF’s verdict on the 2025 AFCON title.
Hakimi said: “My mum told me to reject the AFCON trophy.
“I’m officially rejecting it and hope my teammates do (the) same.
“We had a chance but failed to win.”
Hakimi acknowledged the result, stressing that Senegal were worthy winners.
He cautioned against actions that could undermine their achievement.
He said: “That’s football.
“Sometimes you win and lose.
“Senegal beat us fairly and deserved it.
“It will be unfair to ruin their joy after the hard work.”
Hakimi added that he respects CAF’s position but cannot accept a title he believes Morocco did not earn on the pitch.
He added: “I respect the CAF decision but I’m officially rejecting the trophy.
“I didn’t win the 2025 AFCON.
“Congratulations to Senegal once again.”
The drama emerged from the 2025 AFCON final held in Rabat, where Senegal originally defeated Morocco 1–0 after extra time.
However, the match was marred by a 15-minute walk-off by the Senegalese players in protest of a late VAR-awarded penalty to Morocco.
While the game eventually resumed and Senegal secured the win, CAF’s Appeal Board ruled on March 17, 2026, that the walk-off constituted a forfeiture.
As a result, CAF overturned the 1–0 scoreline to a 3–0 forfeit victory for Morocco.
Meanwhile, the Senegalese Football Federation has also rejected CAF’s verdict on the 2025 AFCON title, vowing that it will appeal the ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) labeled CAF’s decision on the 2025 AFCON title “unfair, unprecedented, and unacceptable.”
The federation confirmed it will file an appeal with CAS “as soon as possible” to defend its rights and the interests of Senegalese football.
The statement reads: “The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has today taken note of the notification of the decision rendered on March 17, 2026, by the Appeals Board of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), in case DC23316. This procedure follows the complaint filed during match no. 52 of the Total Energies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Morocco 2025, between Senegal and Morocco.
