Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi has publicly rejected the Africa Cup of Nations title awarded to his country, declaring he does not recognise the victory following CAF’s controversial ruling.

In a strongly worded statement, the Paris Saint-Germain defender said he would refuse the winner’s medal on principle, insisting Senegal were the rightful champions after their victory on the pitch.

“My mother told me to refuse the Africa Cup of Nations trophy. I am officially refusing it, and I hope my teammates do the same. We had our chance to win it, but we couldn’t,” Hakimi said.

His comments come after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) overturned the result of the 2026 AFCON final, awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory by default after ruling that Senegal had forfeited the match.

The decision followed chaotic scenes late in the final in Rabat, when Senegal players briefly walked off the pitch in protest over a controversial penalty awarded to Morocco in stoppage time.

Despite returning to continue the match and ultimately winning 1-0 in extra time through Pape Gueye, CAF’s Appeals Committee later ruled that the temporary walk-off constituted a breach of competition regulations.

Hakimi, however, has distanced himself from the administrative decision, choosing instead to recognise the sporting outcome on the field.

“This is football – sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. Senegal beat us fairly and deserved the victory. It would be unfair to destroy their joy after all the hard work they put in,” he added.

The Moroccan captain acknowledged CAF’s authority but made clear his personal stance.

“I respect the decision of the Confederation of African Football, but I am officially refusing the trophy. I did not win the Africa Cup of Nations. Congratulations once again to Senegal.”

Controversial final under scrutiny

The final itself had already been overshadowed by controversy before the ruling.

After a goalless 90 minutes, Senegal took the lead early in extra time, appearing to secure the title. However, the match’s turning point came deep into stoppage time when Morocco were awarded a penalty following a VAR review.

The decision sparked protests from Senegal players, who briefly left the pitch, halting the match for several minutes before returning to resume play. Morocco’s Brahim Díaz then missed the penalty, and Senegal held on to claim victory.

In the aftermath, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation lodged an appeal, arguing that Senegal’s actions violated competition rules.

CAF’s Appeals Committee upheld the complaint, citing regulations that state a team can be deemed to have forfeited a match if it leaves the field without authorisation.

As a result, Senegal’s on-field victory was annulled, and Morocco were declared champions — a decision that has triggered widespread debate across African football.

Growing reaction across Africa

Hakimi’s refusal marks one of the strongest responses from within the Moroccan camp itself, adding a new dimension to an already divisive decision.

While Morocco’s football authorities accepted the ruling, the captain’s stance highlights a growing split between administrative outcomes and sporting integrity.

With Senegal expected to challenge the decision further, the controversy surrounding the 2026 AFCON final shows no sign of fading — and Hakimi’s rejection of the trophy may yet become one of its defining moments. (Africa Soccer)