CAN 2025 final: CAS sets May 7 ultimatum for Morocco

Africa 28 April 2026 at 05:10

Nouya M'toama

News Editor

A new twist in the dispute over the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final between Senegal and Morocco. The Court of Arbitration for Sport has set May 7, 2026 as the deadline for the Royal Moroccan Football Federation to submit its defense brief in this high-stakes case.

At the heart of the matter is the Senegalese Football Federation, which brought the case before CAS on March 25, 2026. The federation is contesting the decision by the Confederation of African Football, whose appeals committee upheld a ruling with major consequences: Senegal would lose the final by forfeit after leaving the pitch for a significant period.

Following these events, CAF awarded a 3-0 victory to Morocco, handing them the continental trophy. The decision sparked fierce controversy, especially from the Senegalese side, who point to questionable circumstances surrounding the match interruption and its regulatory interpretation.

CAS, the final decisive recourse

Now, CAS stands as the ultimate arbiter in this dispute. The Lausanne-based body will have to examine the arguments from both sides before delivering a final verdict that could either confirm or overturn Morocco's title.

Meanwhile, the countdown is on for the FRMF, which must defend its position in a case that could reshape the record books of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.