Chemsdine Talbi and Habib Diarra have been affected after Caf overturned the Afcon final result following Senegal’s controversial walk-off
Two Sunderland players have been caught up in extraordinary fallout from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final after African football’s governing body overturned the original result of the tournament’s showpiece.
Morocco have now been officially crowned champions after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) ruled that Senegal forfeited the final following a controversial walk-off during the match.
The decision directly affects Sunderland winger Chemsdine Talbi, who represents Morocco internationally, and midfielder Habib Diarra, who was part of the Senegal squad.
CAF overturns Afcon final result
The final, played on 18 January, originally saw Senegal beat Morocco 1-0 after extra time in a chaotic match overshadowed by controversy late in normal time. With the score still goalless deep into stoppage time, referee Jean Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a penalty following a VAR review of a challenge on Brahim Diaz.
The decision angered Senegal players and staff, with head coach Pape Thiaw leading his side off the pitch in protest. After a delay of around 17 minutes, the Senegal team eventually returned to the field. Diaz then saw his penalty saved by goalkeeper Edouard Mendy before the referee signalled full-time.
Senegal later scored in extra time through Villarreal midfielder Pape Gueye, seemingly securing the title. However, that outcome has now been reversed following an appeal lodged by the Moroccan Football Federation.
Senegal ruled to have forfeited the match
CAF’s appeals board ruled that Senegal’s actions breached tournament regulations, meaning the match must be recorded as a forfeit. In a statement, CAF confirmed Senegal are “declared to have forfeited the final match” and that the official result will be recorded as a 3-0 victory for Morocco.
The ruling centres on Article 82 of the Africa Cup of Nations regulations, which states that any team refusing to continue a match or leaving the field without the referee’s permission is deemed to have lost the game. Under Article 84, such a breach results in the offending side being eliminated and the result recorded as a 3-0 defeat.
Morocco’s football federation said its appeal was not intended to undermine the players’ performances on the pitch but rather to ensure the competition rules were applied correctly.
Senegal vow to appeal decision
The Senegalese Football Federation has strongly criticised the ruling and confirmed it will challenge the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. In a statement, the federation described the verdict as “an unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable decision which brings discredit to African football.”
The controversy has continued to spark reaction across the game, with some Senegal players appearing to mock the ruling on social media after the announcement. The decision has now left Sunderland’s Talbi and Diarra on opposite sides of the controversial ruling.
Talbi will now be officially recognised as part of the Moroccan squad that won the tournament, while Diarra and his Senegal teammates face the prospect of seeing their triumph erased from the official record pending the outcome of their appeal.
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