AFCON 2025: CAS sets first hearing in Morocco-Senegal dispute

The dispute surrounding the Morocco-Senegal final is entering a new phase before the Court of Arbitration for Sport

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AFCON 2025: CAS sets first hearing in Morocco-Senegal dispute

Months after the 2025 AFCON final, CAS will examine Senegal’s appeal against the CAF Appeals Board decision.

The Morocco - Senegal case is far from over. According to La Gazette du Fennec, the Court of Arbitration for Sport will hold a first hearing on October 8 to examine the appeal filed by the Senegalese Football Federation against the decision of the Confederation of African Football’s Appeals Board.

🚨🇲🇦🇸🇳 Le TAS fixe enfin un rendez-vous ! pic.twitter.com/dmxO3KGJy3
— La Gazette du Fennec (@LGDFennec) September 15, 2026

The hearing is not expected to produce an immediate final ruling. CAS will first hear the different parties, review their arguments and assess the evidence before delivering its decision. According to the same source, a final verdict is expected no later than mid-November.

A final that turned into a legal battle

The dispute stems from the 2025 AFCON final between Morocco and Senegal. On the pitch, the Lions of Teranga won 1-0 after extra time and lifted the trophy. However, the match was marked by a lengthy interruption after Senegal’s players temporarily left the field following a disputed refereeing decision.

CAF’s disciplinary body initially upheld the result. The Appeals Board later overturned that ruling and declared Senegal to have forfeited the match, awarding Morocco a 3-0 win. The Senegalese federation then took the case to CAS to challenge that decision.

The key issue will therefore be how Senegal’s temporary walk-off should be interpreted under the competition regulations and what sporting consequences should follow from it.

Lekjaa and Regragui still regard Morocco as champions

Morocco’s position remains firm. Fouzi Lekjaa recently reiterated that the federation would continue defending the CAF Appeals Board decision and still regards Morocco as African champions on the basis of that ruling.

Walid Regragui has taken the same position publicly. The former Morocco head coach said: “I am African champion, whether people like it or not.” He also acknowledged that the final word now belongs to CAS and said he would accept the decision either way.

The October 8 hearing may not immediately settle who should ultimately be recognised as the 2025 African champion, but it will mark a major step in one of the most controversial cases African football has faced in recent years.