Wayne Rooney, George Weah Slam CAF Over Senegal AFCON Title Reversal

Former England captain Wayne Rooney has criticised the Confederation of African Football (CAF) following its decision to strip Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title and award it to Morocco.

Naija News reports that CAF’s Appeal Board overturned Senegal’s 1-0 win in the Rabat final, ruling that the Teranga Lions’ walk-off during a stoppage-time penalty incident breached Articles 82 and 84. The result was subsequently recorded as a 3-0 forfeit in favour of Morocco.

“It’s crazy. If I were a Moroccan player, I wouldn’t accept it. Senegal beat them fair and square,” Rooney said.
“The Senegal team beat them fairly.”

Senegal’s football federation, Fédération Sénégalaise de Football, has confirmed it will challenge the ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

African football icon George Weah also weighed in, questioning the basis of the decision and warning of its wider impact on the game.

“In football, the referee on the pitch is the final authority. Once a match is completed, the result obtained on the field must stand,” he said.

Weah argued that overturning completed matches risks eroding trust in the sport.

“There is no sporting justification to nullify a match completed under the referee’s authority. Otherwise, we risk a slippery slope where committee decisions override on-field calls,” he added.

The former Ballon d’Or winner said the ruling undermines the integrity and credibility of African football, raising concerns over fairness and consistency.

He urged CAS to step in and review the matter without delay.

“Football must be decided on the pitch, not re-decided after the final whistle,” Weah stressed, warning that “this travesty does not stand.”