Hakimi Rejects AFCON 2025 Title After CAF Ruling, Backs Senegal as Deserved Winners

Achraf Hakimi, captain of Morocco’s national team, has publicly rejected the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title following a controversial ruling, insisting that his side did not earn the trophy on the pitch.

The Paris Saint-Germain football club defender made his position clear after Morocco’s defeat to Senegal men’s football team in the tournament final, stating that neither he nor his teammates should accept the title regardless of any decision by the Confederation of African Football.

According to Hakimi, the outcome on the field should stand. He revealed that he had been advised by his mother to reject the trophy, a stance he has now officially adopted.

“We had our chance but failed to win,” Hakimi said, acknowledging Senegal’s superiority in the final. He added that it would be unfair to diminish the West African side’s achievement after what he described as a deserved victory.

Despite respecting CAF’s authority, Hakimi maintained that accepting the title would go against sporting integrity. He reiterated that Morocco did not win the tournament in his view and extended congratulations to Senegal.

The controversy stems from a March 17, 2026 decision by CAF’s Appeal Board, which overturned the initial 1–0 result in favour of Senegal to a 3–0 victory for Morocco, citing a walk-off by the Senegalese team as a forfeiture under tournament regulations.

However, the Senegalese Football Federation has rejected the ruling and is preparing an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Hakimi’s stance marks a rare moment in international football, where a player has declined a major title in defence of fair play, even as the dispute over the AFCON 2025 final continues.