AFCON 2025 final saga moves closer to verdict as Senegal-Morocco case is heard by CAS on Thursday

The long-running dispute over the winner of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations will move a step closer to resolution on Thursday when Senegal’s appeal against being stripped of the title is heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne.

Senegal are challenging the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) decision to hand the trophy to Morocco, despite defeating the hosts 1-0 after extra time in January’s final in Rabat.

The controversy began late in normal time when Senegal walked off the pitch for 14 minutes after Morocco were awarded a penalty. Several Senegal players also returned to the dressing room in protest before eventually coming back to resume the match.

Morocco failed to score from the spot, forcing the final into extra time, where Senegal struck the decisive goal to claim what appeared to be their second successive AFCON title.

Senegal challenge CAF’s dramatic decision

The result was overturned two months later when CAF’s Appeal Board ruled that Senegal had forfeited the match by leaving the field without the referee’s authorisation.

The decision awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory and handed the hosts the AFCON title, prompting Senegal to immediately begin the next stage of their legal challenge.

Senegal lodged their appeal with CAS on March 25, but the case will only be heard on Thursday.

The hearing will bring together representatives of Senegal, Morocco and CAF, with Senegal seeking to have the original result restored and their status as champions reinstated.

CAS has stressed that Thursday’s hearing will not produce an immediate verdict.

“After the hearing, the panel will start its deliberations. At this stage, CAS cannot state when a final decision will be rendered but it will not be on the date of the hearing,” the sports tribunal said in a statement.

Three-man panel to decide Senegal’s fate

A three-member CAS panel will preside over the case, led by French civil rights expert Gerald Simon.

Italian international law professor Luigi Fumagalli and Hamburg-based lawyer and University of Zurich law professor Ulrich Haas will complete the panel.

Senegal are expected to argue that decisions made by the referee during a match under the Laws of the Game are final and cannot subsequently be overturned through disciplinary proceedings.

Their lawyers are also expected to challenge CAF’s interpretation of the tournament regulations used to strip them of the title.

The regulations state that “if, for any reason whatsoever, a team refuses to play or leaves the ground before the regular end of the match without the authorisation of the referee, it shall be considered the loser and shall be eliminated for good from the current competition.”

Senegal are expected to maintain that the provision must be interpreted strictly and that their temporary departure from the pitch did not amount to abandoning the final.

Morocco defend historic title decision

Morocco, meanwhile, are expected to argue that the regulation applies to any team that leaves the field without the referee’s permission, regardless of whether the departure is eventually reversed.

The case will therefore centre heavily on whether Senegal’s 14-minute walk-off constituted abandonment under CAF’s regulations.

The hearing will take place behind closed doors, with the panel expected to deliberate afterwards before issuing its decision at a later date.

The dispute comes as both nations have already begun their campaigns to qualify for AFCON 2027.

Senegal opened Patrick Vieira’s reign with a 1-1 draw against Mozambique on September 25 before beating Ethiopia 1-0 four days later.

Morocco have made a perfect start, defeating Gabon and Lesotho in their opening two qualifying matches.