Since the controversial AFCON 2025 final, social media has been flooded with false claims targeting Morocco. Some posts have been widely shared, adding to the confusion surrounding the dispute over the tournament’s outcome.
Against this backdrop, several African voices are urging the public to exercise caution and verify information before sharing it.
A “Cancellation” That Turned Out to Be an April Fool’s Joke
One striking example is an article claiming that the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) had “annulled the final” and left the Africa Cup of Nations without a winner.
Published on April 1, 2026, the article was actually an April Fool’s joke, as its author had explicitly indicated. Despite that clarification, the story continues to circulate among some users as though it were genuine news.
According to the information available, CAS has not yet issued its final ruling on the dispute. The hearing took place in Lausanne on October 8, 2026, and the case was taken under advisement. The outcome of Senegal’s appeal therefore remains pending.
AFCON 2025: The Facts Behind the Controversy
A look at the timeline helps clarify the dispute. On January 18, 2026, during the final in Rabat, Senegal’s players temporarily left the pitch after Morocco were awarded a penalty in stoppage time. They subsequently returned, and Senegal went on to win 1–0 after extra time.
On March 17, 2026, however, CAF’s Appeal Board declared Senegal to have forfeited the match under the competition’s regulations. The final was recorded as a 3–0 victory for Morocco, which was awarded the title under that decision.
In a viral video, a Ghanaian journalist defends the application of the rules, stating: “If you leave the pitch, it is a forfeit.” Another speaker, meanwhile, denounces what he calls “a massive campaign to demonise Morocco.”
With CAS’s ruling still awaited, the controversy continues to generate reactions across the continent. In this climate, distinguishing between verified facts, opinions and misleading content remains essential to preventing the further spread of misinformation surrounding the case.
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