The unusual incident of the towel, which occurred during the final of the Africa Cup of Nations between Morocco and Senegal, found a resolution a few hours after the match. Moroccan midfielder Ismael Saibari took the initiative to go to the Senegalese national team’s base camp to close a controversy that has widely circulated on social media.
The failure of Brahim Díaz during the final of the Africa Cup of Nations continues to elicit contrasting reactions within the football world. While the Real Madrid striker has received the support of many international stars, former Atlas Lions coach Hervé Renard has expressed a particularly harsh criticism regarding his missed panenka attempt against Senegal.
Law enforcement officers arrested 19 individuals following acts of violence and hooliganism that occurred at the Prince Moulay Abdellah complex . These incidents broke out on Sunday evening following the final of the Africa Cup of Nations between Morocco and Senegal.
The Moroccan team pocketed a $4 million grant following their runner-up finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Despite the defeat suffered in Rabat, this amount marks an evolution in the bonuses paid by the Confederation of African Football.
The Moroccan national team is signing a historic performance in the FIFA ranking of January 2026 by reaching the eighth place in the world. This major consecration allows the Atlas Lions to enter the Top 10 for the first time since 1998, thus surpassing their previous record set in 1993.
A historic audience was recorded on M6 this Sunday, January 18, 2026 during the free-to-air broadcast of the Africa Cup of Nations final. The match between Senegal and Morocco allowed the channel to rise to the rank of second best audience of the evening on French territory.
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation has decided to take action following the incidents that marked the final of the Africa Cup of Nations against Senegal. The national body has officially announced the use of legal procedures with CAF and FIFA to rule on the withdrawal of the Senegalese team from the field during the match, an act that weighed heavily on the atmosphere of the match.
Despite Senegal’s victory in the final, Morocco has drawn a positive strategic and institutional assessment of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Beyond the sporting result, the Kingdom has exploited this event to assert its organizational capacity and maturity on the international stage.
The President of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, has congratulated the Senegalese national team for their African Cup of Nations title won against Morocco 1-0 in Rabat, while criticizing the behavior of certain Senegalese supporters, players and staff members who left the field after a penalty was awarded in the 95th minute.
As Morocco awaited a title after half a century, the final of the African Cup of Nations took a dramatic sporting turn. Facing an imperturbable Edouard Mendy, star striker Brahim Díaz attempted a technical gesture that is now the subject of widespread criticism.
Clashes broke out in several neighborhoods of Brussels and Antwerp following the Africa Cup of Nations final between Senegal and Morocco. The situation was particularly agitated around the Étangs Noirs metro station and in the Borgerhout district, requiring interventions to contain the disturbances. Nine arrests were reported as hundreds of people had gathered.
Walid Regragui spoke out following Morocco’s defeat in the Africa Cup of Nations final against Senegal. Despite the disappointment, the national team coach stated that the Atlas Lions would come back stronger in future competitions. He notably highlighted the impact of decisive details in this defeat conceded during extra time at the Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium.