French coach Claude Le Roy has heavily criticized the handling of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, calling the decision to award Morocco the title pitiful and damaging to the image of African football.
The controversy stems from Senegal’s walkout in stoppage time of the final after a late penalty was awarded to Morocco. The match had ended 1-0 to Senegal after extra time, with Pape Gueye scoring the winner.
Following the review, CAF’s Appeal Board declared Morocco the 3-0 winners by forfeiture, officially crowning them champions for the first time since 1976.
Le Roy, who has coached in Africa for over 40 years with countries including Cameroon, Senegal, Ghana, and Togo, expressed his disappointment in an interview with French outlet l’Equipe.
“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.
The veteran coach’s comments underline the concerns many football fans, pundits and bookmakers have raised about the integrity of the ruling.
Senegal has vowed to appeal the decision, and the debate over the 2025 AFCON final continues to dominate discussions across African football.
