Morocco has ‘strong and documented arguments’ – Lekjaa as AFCON final dispute heads to CAS

President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, Fouzi Lekjaa, has expressed firm confidence that Morocco’s case in the disputed AFCON final will withstand scrutiny at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

As the controversy surrounding the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final intensifies, Lekjaa has moved to reinforce Morocco’s position, stressing that both factual evidence and regulatory backing place the North African nation on solid ground.

His remarks signal a federation prepared not only to defend a title, but to protect its interpretation of events in one of the tournament’s most contentious conclusions.

“Morocco has strong and documented arguments regarding what happened in the final,” Lekjaa said. “All elements of the incident were recorded precisely, through official reports and video footage, in full respect of the regulations.”

The statement reflects growing assurance within Moroccan football circles that the case, now headed for arbitration, will ultimately validate the Confederation of African Football’s original ruling.

The heart of the dispute

At the centre of the legal battle is the final between Morocco and Senegal, a match that descended into confusion and controversy before a decisive administrative outcome was reached.

The Confederation of African Football later ruled that Senegal had forfeited the game, invoking Articles 82 and 84 of its disciplinary code. These provisions apply in situations where a team abandons play or refuses to continue, circumstances CAF determined had been met.

Lekjaa underscored that Morocco’s submission is rooted in verifiable material, combining official documentation with visual evidence to present a coherent account of the sequence of events.

“The withdrawal of the Senegal team is officially established,” he said, pointing directly to the referee’s report and corroborating video footage that captured players leaving the pitch.

This dual layer of evidence, written and visual, is expected to form the backbone of Morocco’s argument before CAS, where legal interpretation will be as critical as factual accuracy.

A decision shaped by regulations

One of the key moments under examination is Morocco’s decision to resume the match after Senegal’s brief return to the field, a move that has drawn scrutiny in the aftermath of CAF’s ruling.

Lekjaa was unequivocal in framing that decision as a matter of compliance rather than discretion.

“Morocco had to accept the resumption of the game,” he said. “Refusing to continue would have exposed us to the same sanctions under the regulations.”

By continuing the match, Morocco effectively insulated itself from potential disciplinary consequences, adhering strictly to the competition’s regulatory framework while the situation remained fluid.

According to Lekjaa, any alternative course of action could have jeopardised Morocco’s standing under the same rules later used to sanction Senegal.

This interpretation is likely to be a pivotal component of the federation’s legal strategy, demonstrating procedural consistency at a time when the match itself had veered into uncertainty.

Awaiting a decisive ruling

With the case now progressing to CAS, attention shifts from administrative judgment to legal arbitration, where both Morocco and Senegal will seek a definitive resolution.

The outcome will not only determine the legitimacy of the AFCON title but could also set a precedent for how similar incidents are handled in future continental competitions.

For Morocco, the objective is clear, to uphold a decision they believe is firmly anchored in both evidence and regulation. For Senegal, the appeal represents an opportunity to challenge that interpretation and reclaim sporting ground through legal means.