Africa Cup of Nations: Morocco crowned AFCON champions after CAF strips Senegal of title for penalty protest

Morocco have been crowned Africa Cup of Nations winners after an unprecedented ruling overturned Senegal's victory two months on from the final.

Senegal have been stripped of their title by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeal Board for leaving the pitch and it has been declared that they forfeited.

Tournament hosts Morocco are now considered 3-0 winners of the final, which took place on January 18, ending a 49-year wait for their second AFCON title.

Senegal triumphed 1-0 after extra-time after controversially exiting the field in protest after hosts Morocco were awarded a contentious stoppage-time penalty, delaying the game for 17 minutes.

Brahim Diaz missed from the spot, his panenka comfortably saved, when play eventually resumed after Sadio Mane convinced his team-mates to return and Senegal won the final thanks to Pape Gueye's goal in extra-time.

CAF says Senegal infringed on article 82 of AFCON's regulations, which states if a team refuses to play or leaves the ground before the end of regulation time without the refereee's authorisation, it will be considered the loser and eliminated from the competition.

Article 84 states any team that violates article 82 will be permanently eliminated and lose the match 3-0.

The west African nation plan to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which typically takes about a year to reach a verdict.