Although the Lions of Teranga won the final 1-0 after extra time, which witnessed a 17-minute stoppage due to the Senegalese protest over a penalty awarded to Morocco, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) awarded the match and the trophy to the host nation last Tuesday.
CAF ruled that the protest by the Senegalese violated the rules of the competition.
But Hakimi rejected the AFCON title awarded to his country, declaring his non-recognition of the controversial victory.
In a strongly worded statement, the Paris Saint-Germain defender said that 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.
CAF not only overturned the match result, but also awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory by default after ruling that Senegal had forfeited the match.
Hakimi chose 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’.
The final had 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 left the pitch, halting the match for 17 minutes before returning to resume play. Morocco’s Brahim Díaz then missed the penalty, and Senegal held on to claim victory.
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.
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.
