Moroccan second-tier side USM Oujda have terminated the contract of Senegalese midfielder Issa Ndiaye following controversial remarks linked to the Confederation of African Football’s ruling on the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final.
The club’s decision comes after comments attributed to Ndiaye in which he allegedly criticised the decision by Confederation of African Football to strip Senegal of the AFCON title and instead award it to Morocco.
His remarks were considered inappropriate by club officials, who viewed them as disrespectful to both the governing body and the wider football institution.
In a statement referenced by reports, USM Oujda’s management expressed concern over the midfielder’s public reaction, indicating that such conduct did not align with the club’s values.
As a result, the decision was taken to end his contract with immediate effect.
The controversy stems from a dramatic conclusion to the 2025 AFCON final, in which Senegal had initially emerged 1-0 winners.
However, the situation took a turn following disciplinary proceedings by CAF.
The organisation’s appeal board reviewed the circumstances surrounding the match and concluded that Senegal had breached competition regulations.
Central to the ruling was an incident involving the Senegal team, also known as the Teranga Lions, who walked off the pitch for 17 minutes during the final.
CAF determined that this action constituted a violation of its rules. As a result, the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football was found to have breached Article 82 of the competition’s regulations.
Under Article 84, the sanction for such a breach includes forfeiture of the match. CAF therefore ruled that the result should be overturned, leading to the title being awarded to Morocco.
The decision has generated strong reactions across the football community, with Ndiaye among those reportedly expressing frustration.
According to reports, his comments appeared to mock CAF’s ruling, which in turn provoked a response from USM Oujda officials.
The club viewed the midfielder’s statements as undermining the authority of CAF and showing a lack of respect towards the decision-making process. This stance ultimately led to the termination of his contract.
The development highlights the broader impact of the AFCON ruling, not only on national teams but also on players at club level.
Ndiaye’s dismissal underscores how off-field conduct, particularly in response to sensitive decisions, can carry significant professional consequences.
While the debate over CAF’s ruling continues, USM Oujda’s swift action signals a firm position on maintaining discipline and respect for football’s governing institutions.
