A referee's report has surfaced, contradicting the Confederation of African Football's (CAF) official explanation of a key incident in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final. The match, held in July 2025, saw Morocco defeat Senegal 2-1 in a game marred by controversy over a late penalty awarded to Morocco.
According to verified reports, CAF previously stated that the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system had confirmed the on-field penalty decision. However, the referee's official match report, obtained by media outlets, indicates the official had significant doubts about the foul and intended to review it via the pitch-side monitor, a step that was not taken.
The discrepancy centers on a challenge by Senegal's Kalidou Koulibaly on Morocco's Achraf Hakimi in the 85th minute. The referee's report suggests the decision to award the penalty was not as clear-cut as CAF's post-match statements implied, raising questions about the VAR protocol application during the final.
This revelation has reignited debate over transparency and officiating standards in African football. Neither CAF nor the match officials have issued new statements following the publication of the referee's report. The incident remains a point of contention for Senegalese football authorities and fans.
