Morocco’s AFCON title wait set to continue as CAS hearing delayed

The long-running dispute over the winners of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is set to continue after reports indicated that the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) will not hear the case between Morocco and Senegal until September or October.

The delay means African football fans may have to wait until at least October for a final ruling on one of the continent’s most controversial title disputes.

CAS hearing pushed back

According to Spanish sports outlet IUSPORT, citing sources close to one of the parties involved, the hearing will take place at the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.

If the reported timeline is confirmed, the court will not be in a position to deliver a final verdict before October, extending uncertainty over the destination of the 2025 AFCON title.

Appeal centres on CAF ruling

The case stems from a decision by the Confederation of African Football’s Appeals Committee, which overturned an earlier ruling and awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory over Senegal in the final.

The decision saw the AFCON trophy awarded administratively to Morocco following an incident during extra time when Senegal’s players temporarily left the field to protest the awarding of a penalty to the Atlas Lions.

Although Morocco failed to convert the penalty after play resumed, CAF ruled that Senegal’s actions constituted a breach of the regulations and subsequently awarded the match to Morocco by a 3-0 scoreline.

Senegal challenge decision

The Senegalese Football Federation rejected the Appeals Committee’s decision, describing it as unjust before lodging a formal appeal with CAS in a bid to have the original result restored and reclaim the continental title.

The upcoming hearing is expected to determine whether CAS upholds CAF’s ruling or overturns it in favour of Senegal.

Verdict will decide AFCON champions

The final decision will have major implications for African football, as it will determine the official winners of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

CAS could either uphold CAF’s decision, confirming Morocco as African champions, or overturn the ruling and reinstate Senegal as the winners based on the result on the pitch.

Until the court delivers its verdict, the question of who officially won the 2025 AFCON title will remain unresolved.