Moroccan club USM Oujda terminates contract of Senegalâ??s Issa Ndiaye over AFCON 2025 title stripping remarks

Moroccan club USM Oujda have terminated the contract of Senegalese midfielder Issa Ndiaye following his controversial remarks about the stripping of Senegal’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title, a decision that continues to spark widespread debate across African football.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeal Board dropped on a bombshell last Tuesday, annulling Senegal’s AFCON 2025 success and awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory.

In a landmark ruling issued under Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON regulations, CAF upheld an appeal lodged by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), setting aside the earlier decision of the Disciplinary Board.

The decision stems from dramatic scenes during the final, when Senegal players walked off the pitch for over 17 minutes in protest against a late penalty awarded to Morocco.

Following Sadio Mane’s intervention, the Teranga Lions returned to the pitch for the continuation of the match and subsequently prevailed with a narrow win through Pape Gueye after Brahim Diaz had missed the penalty that had triggered the protest.

CAF, however, ruled that the conduct of the Senegal team constituted a breach of the competition’s regulations. As a result, the Federation Senegalaise de Football (FSF) was found to have infringed Article 82, leading to the forfeiture of the match under Article 84.

Per reports, USM Oujda, a Moroccan second-division club, has decided to part ways with their midfielder, who is a Senegalese.

Despite no explicit reason for the termination, multiple reports suggest the fallout is closely tied to the player’s reaction following the Confederation of African Football’s explosive ruling on AFCON 2025.

The midfielder is said to have mocked the CAF verdict, which angered his Moroccan club. Ndiaye is believed to have expressed his displeasure in a manner perceived as disrespectful, particularly given the national significance of the decision for Moroccan football. His reaction reportedly triggered swift internal action, culminating in the termination of his contract.

The incident highlights the growing ripple effects of CAF’s decision, which continues to fuel tensions not only between nations but also within club environments.

For USM Oujda, a team competing in Morocco’s second division, the move signals a firm stance on discipline and alignment with national sentiment during a sensitive period.

For Ndiaye, the abrupt exit marks an uncertain chapter in his career. Once a key figure in the squad, the Senegalese midfielder now finds himself without a club amid a storm of controversy that extends far beyond the pitch.

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