Senegal and Morocco set for October CAS hearing over 2025 AFCON final dispute

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has scheduled an 8 October hearing behind closed doors to examine the disputed 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final between Senegal and Morocco, a case that will determine which nation is officially recognised as champion.

The hearing will pit the Federation Senegalaise de Football (FSF) against the Federation Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) and the Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF), following CAF’s dramatic decision in March to strip Senegal of the title and award it to Morocco.

A panel of arbitrators will begin deliberations immediately after the session, with the final ruling expected before the end of the year. The outcome will conclude months of tension and legal wrangling between the two federations over one of the most contentious finals in AFCON history.

CAF’s March ruling at the heart of the case

On 17 March, CAF overturned the result on the pitch and reassigned the trophy to Morocco, acting on a Moroccan appeal citing breaches of Articles 82 and 84 of the competition’s regulations.

Senegal, who had originally celebrated victory in Rabat on 18 January, are asking CAS to annul CAF’s decision and reinstate them as winners of the CAN 2025. The FSF has maintained throughout that the result should stand as decided on the field at Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah.

In response to speculation over the summer claiming CAS had already sided with Senegal, the court recently issued a clarification denying that any decision had yet been taken, stressing that the case remains ongoing and is following its normal schedule.

Chaotic final in Rabat

The controversy stems from a chaotic sequence of events during the final in the Moroccan capital. Senegal’s “Lions de la Teranga” had forced a stoppage in play at Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah after a series of refereeing decisions that sparked anger on the touchline.

Shortly after Ismaila Sarr saw a goal ruled out, referee Jean-Jacques Ndala – who has since become infamous in the context of this match – awarded a penalty to Morocco. The incident triggered fury on the Senegal bench.

Former Senegal coach Pape Thiaw responded by urging his players to leave the pitch, creating confusion and escalating the sense of crisis inside the stadium.

Tension quickly spilled into the stands. Sections of the Senegalese support attempted to make their way towards the pitch, clashing with stewards and security forces just as Brahim Diaz was preparing to take the spot-kick that could have settled the final.

Diaz failed to convert what was effectively a match point. The penalty miss allowed the game to continue into extra time, where Pape Gueye struck in the 93rd minute, a goal that proved decisive on the night and initially secured Senegal the title.

Standard CAS timetable after fast-track bid rejected

The FSF pushed for the case to be expedited, arguing that a swift resolution was in the interests of all parties. However, both the FRMF and CAF declined to agree to an accelerated timetable.

As a result, CAS has confirmed that the dispute will proceed under its standard procedural calendar. The 8 October hearing will be held in camera, with no public or media access.

Only once the arbitrators have completed their post-hearing deliberations will a written decision be issued, formally determining whether CAF’s March ruling stands or is overturned – and, ultimately, whether Senegal or Morocco will be recorded as champions of CAN 2025.