In a dramatic turn of events, the appeals committee of the African body delivered its verdict regarding the disputes surrounding the final. Senegal were ruled to have lost by forfeit, granting the host nation an administrative victory and the title.
Citing articles 82 and 84 of the Africa Cup of Nations Regulations, the authorities determined the conduct of the Senegal national team warranted a severe penalty.
The final in Rabat was stopped for over 15 minutes as Senegal players protested the decision to award Morocco a penalty with only a few seconds remaining to the final whistle.
After Senegal rescinded their boycott and resumed play, Brahim Diaz missed from the penalty spot taking the final into extra time. Senegal seized the opportunity to score from Pape Gueye and win their second AFCON title in history.
‘It is daylight robbery’
“This is not only an unprecedented but also an exceptionally serious decision based on a manifestly erroneous interpretation of the regulations, leading to a grossly illegal and deeply unjust decision,” Nyamweya told Flashscore.
“The decision by CAF has left more questions than answers given that the match was played to the final whistle and there was no abandonment whatsoever.”
Nyamweya admitted while Senegal players were at fault for walking off the pitch in protest after Morocco were awarded a penalty, the penalty in question was very questionable.
“Senegal players were at fault for walking out of the pitch after the referee awarded Morocco what was seen as a questionable penalty deep into added time,” said Nyamweya.
“Senegal went on to score in extra time in full glare of the entire world to win the title. However, CAF has gone ahead to strip the Senegalese of the title after Morocco lodged a complaint, which is to say the least daylight robbery.”
Nyamweya continued: “Football rules dictate the winner on the pitch of play gets the points or the title in the event it is a final match - unless there are other breaches. In this case, the match officials allowed the game to continue to its completion, how again does the winner forfeit the title?”
He concluded: “The action by CAF is setting a dangerous precedent and will erode the gains African football has made over the years.
“As a football stakeholder and having served in CAF committee, I call upon the top leadership of CAF to come out and sort the mess that has been caused by this ruling. Football must be won on the pitch and not on boardrooms.”
‘No one will take away our trophy’
Former Senegalese international Diomansy Kamara has questioned the verdict, as well as the credibility of African football’s governing bodies.
“Morocco, African champions?? Really?? So, they can release our fans now? Please put them on the first plane tomorrow morning…,” said Kamara, who played 50 games and scored nine goals for the Lions of Teranga.
Kamara added: “No one will take away our trophy and our dignity. It is the entire credibility of African football that is being tested today. It’s not just one team or one country that is involved.
“It’s the credibility of our entire football system that is being questioned. Who will take us seriously if we don’t protect the integrity of our own competitions?”
Former Senegal star Omar Daf said: “I’m very surprised. After several weeks, there was no longer any debate. It was a final between the two best teams in the tournament, won by Senegal.
“Like everyone else, that was the first thing that surprised me. In fact, it’s completely incomprehensible. All of this doesn’t give a good image of football in general, not just African football.
“This decision should have been made immediately, or in the hours that followed. Now it’s too late! Senegal celebrated, the people celebrated too, the players went to the Presidential Palace…”
CAF President Patrice Motsepe has made it clear the West African nation have the right to escalate the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
