Ex-FIFA official Keith Hackett brands Morocco’s AFCON win ‘hugely disrespectful’ as committee strips Senegal
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Credit: Channel 4 Sport on YouTube Wed 18 March 2026 10:58, UK Keith Hackett has slammed the decision to overturn the result of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final between Senegal and Morocco.The former Fifa official and ex-PGMOL chief exclusively told Football Insider the decision is “a huge disrespect” and “unacceptable”.Senegal won the title in January in a game that was marred by huge controversy in the final minutes. MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES Keith Hackett: CAF decision is ‘unacceptable’Speaking exclusively to Football Insider after the final, Hackett said Senegal would be investigated for their role in the chaos that took place, with a punishment expected.Pape Thiaw’s team were slammed for their unprecedented actions, although their frustration could be understood.
AFCON Final Timeline Details / Ruling Original Result Senegal 1-0 Morocco (AET) CAF Revised Result Morocco 3-0 Senegal (Forfeit) Regulatory Basis Articles 82 & 84 (AFCON Regs) Next Legal Step Appeal to CAS (Confirmed) Source: CAF Appeal Board / Senegalese Football Federation (FSF)Ismaila Sarr’s goal had been chalked off for Abdoulaye Seck’s minimal contact on Achraf Hakimi, with the video assistant referee somehow confirming the referee’s decision. And while the decision to award Morocco a penalty just minutes later looked correct, the difference in standards saw frustrations boil over.On Tuesday 17 March, two months later, the Confederation of African Football Appeal Board have announced that Morocco have been declared 3-0 winners of the final after infringing article 82 of the regulations of AFCON.This was a very clean goal .
The Senegal and Morocco players both pushed each other. CAF is so corrupt man. pic.twitter.com/4xOBXHNUes— Dr Penking™ (@drpenking) January 18, 2026 View Tweet Speaking exclusively to Football Insider following the announcement, Ex-PGMOL chief Hackett said: “Deciding the result of a football match sat around a table by committee is a huge disrespect for the game.“The authorities should have arranged for the game to be replayed behind closed doors with appropriate media coverage and a large number of security in place.The CAF Appeal Board decided that in application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Senegal National Team is declared to have forfeited the Final Match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 (“the Match”),…— CAF Media (@CAF_Media) March 17, 2026 View Tweet “I am sure that the decision will stand but whatever the circumstances deciding a game by committee is unacceptable.”Senegal respond to CAF decisionCAF’s decision has been widely criticised, with many shocked by the time it has taken for such a big call to be made.The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has since responded to the announcement and has confirmed that they will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).