Morocco–Senegal final: CAS speaks out for the first time

CAS held a hearing on Thursday involving Senegal and Morocco in the case concerning the 2025 AFCON final

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Morocco–Senegal final: CAS speaks out for the first time

After months of controversy, Senegal and Morocco defended their positions before CAS, which promises a reasoned decision soon.

The case concerning the final of the 2025 AFCON entered a new phase in Lausanne on Thursday. The federations of Morocco and Senegal appeared before the Court of Arbitration for Sport for a highly anticipated hearing.

As a reminder, Senegal had won the final on the pitch (1-0), after a match marked by the temporary withdrawal of the Teranga Lions following a penalty awarded to Morocco. On 17 March, the CAF Appeals Jury subsequently decided to award the victory to Morocco by forfeit (3-0), in application of Articles 82 and 84 of the competition regulations.

Senegal wants its title back

The Senegalese Football Federation immediately challenged the decision and appealed to CAS. Thursday’s hearing was therefore intended to allow the various parties to present their arguments in a case that has kept a large part of African football on tenterhooks for several months.

Speaking to RMC Sport, CAS Director General Matthieu Reeb explained that the timetable had been established in consultation with all the parties.

“I am well aware that Senegalese, Moroccan and African supporters have been waiting a very long time. We established the procedural timetable with the agreement of all the parties involved. The same applies to today’s hearing; this was arranged by mutual agreement between all the parties. However, CAS’s objective, as the final court of sporting justice, is to provide a reasoned decision as soon as possible after today’s hearing.”

No precise date for the verdict

CAS has not, however, announced any official date for the publication of its decision. The body has simply stated that it wants to deliver its verdict as soon as possible after the hearing.

The stakes are considerable: the final decision will determine whether the African champions’ title remains awarded to Morocco by forfeit or returns to Senegal, the winner of the final on the pitch.

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