Former South Africa head coach Hugo Broos believes Senegal should have been awarded a forfeit defeat after temporarily leaving the pitch during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final against Morocco. His comments come as the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) prepares to rule on the controversial case.
The controversy surrounding the AFCON 2025 final between Morocco and Senegal continues to spark debate across African football. Former South Africa coach Hugo Broos has called for the strict application of the competition’s regulations, arguing that Senegal’s actions should have resulted in a forfeit.
“It is very hard for Senegal to lose, but there is a rule: if you leave the pitch, it is a forfeit. That’s it. Morocco have the cup! Rules are meant to be respected,” the Belgian coach said, according to statements reported by sports media.
Hugo Broos Calls for Strict Enforcement of the Rules
For Broos, the importance of a final does not justify departing from the regulations governing the competition. His position aligns with that of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), which challenged the conduct of the Senegalese team after a penalty was awarded to Morocco in the closing minutes of regulation time.
Following the referee’s decision, Senegal’s players temporarily left the pitch for several minutes before returning. The match resumed and went into extra time, where Senegal eventually secured a 1–0 victory.
However, the case took a dramatic turn on March 17, 2026, when the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeal Board ruled in Morocco’s favour. Citing Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON regulations, the board declared Senegal to have forfeited the match and recorded a 3–0 victory for Morocco.
Morocco Awaits CAS Ruling
Broos’ position echoes comments made by a Ghanaian journalist who also defended the application of the rules. According to the journalist, the public reaction would have been very different if Morocco had left the pitch and Senegal had been awarded a walkover victory.
The original source of those remarks has yet to be identified. Nevertheless, they reflect the ongoing debate over whether football regulations are applied consistently across African competitions.
The dispute remains unresolved. Senegal has appealed CAF’s decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), challenging the ruling that awarded Morocco a 3–0 victory. The hearing took place in Lausanne on October 8, 2026. The court announced that a reasoned decision would follow in the coming days, without specifying an exact date.
For now, CAF’s ruling remains in force, with Morocco officially declared the winner of AFCON 2025 by a 3–0 forfeit score. CAS’s decision will determine whether that ruling stands or is overturned.
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