AFCON 2025: Morocco takes legal action against organizers of ceremony planned in France by Senegal

The African Cup of Nations trophy saga is heading to court. The president of the Moroccan Bar Association, Mourad Elajouti, announced that he has initiated legal proceedings against the organizers of a ceremony scheduled in France by Senegal.
Two formal cease-and-desist letters have been sent to the Stade de France Operating Company and the GL Events group. The reason: their involvement in organizing a trophy exhibition ceremony for the AFCON, which, according to the Moroccan side, was wrongly awarded to Senegal.

According to Mourad Elajouti, these entities "bear direct responsibility" by supporting an event based on a title that is now being challenged.

Morocco claims the trophy after a CAF decision

At the heart of the dispute is a decision issued on March 17, 2026, by the appeals jury of the Confederation of African Football, which reportedly officially reassigned the AFCON title to Morocco. In the absence of a suspension ordered by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, Moroccan lawyers believe that any public presentation of the trophy by another nation constitutes a "misappropriation of title" and an "obviously unlawful disturbance."

Threat of legal action and judicial sequestration of the trophy

Going ahead with the ceremony could lead to legal proceedings on the grounds of tortious civil liability. The organizers would thus be exposed to claims for damages.

Moreover, the Moroccan side is considering emergency proceedings to secure a judicial sequestration of the trophy. This measure would place the trophy in the custody of a court-appointed commissioner, pending a final resolution of the dispute.

Nouya M'toama

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Versatile journalist specializing in sports and political news, with extensive experience across radio, print and digital media platforms.