Veteran French tactician Claude Le Roy has launched a scathing attack on the decision to award Morocco the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations crown, describing the ruling as deeply damaging to the credibility of African football.
The controversy traces back to a chaotic conclusion to the AFCON final, where Senegal walked off the pitch during stoppage time after a late penalty was awarded to Morocco. Prior to the abandonment, Senegal had secured a 1-0 lead after extra time, courtesy of a decisive strike from Pape Gueye.
However, in a dramatic reversal, CAF’s Appeal Board later ruled the match forfeited, handing Morocco a 3-0 victory and officially awarding them their first continental title since 1976.
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Le Roy, whose managerial career spans more than four decades across African football, including spells with Cameroon, Senegal, Ghana, and Togo, did not hold back in his assessment of the situation during an interview with L’Équipe.
“I think there were a lot of shady dealings to decide that Morocco are champions, it’s pitiful for the image that CAF is giving. It feels like Morocco can get away with anything. Morocco went to claim this victory on a technicality, this is only the beginning of the affair,” he said.
His remarks echo a growing wave of criticism from fans, analysts, and stakeholders, many of whom have raised serious concerns about the transparency and fairness of the decision-making process.
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With Senegal already signaling their intention to challenge the ruling, the fallout from the 2025 final continues to cast a long shadow, fueling debate and intensifying scrutiny on African football’s governing structures.
