CAF chief says CAS will decide ‘disputed’ 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title between Morocco and Senegal

CAF president Patrice Motsepe has said African football’s governing body is “waiting” on the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to give a final ruling on who are the rightful winners of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations – Morocco or Senegal.

The extraordinary situation has left the identity of the continent’s champions formally unresolved, months after the tournament concluded on Moroccan soil.

Senegal initially won the title on the pitch, defeating hosts Morocco in the final. But the Confederation of African Football (CAF) later stripped Senegal of the trophy, re-awarded it to Morocco and imposed heavy sanctions on both national teams.

The Senegalese Football Federation has since appealed to CAS, football’s highest judicial authority, asking it to overturn CAF’s decision and restore Senegal’s status as champions.

Speaking at a press conference, Motsepe underlined that the matter is now out of CAF’s hands.

“We are waiting for the final decision from the Court of Arbitration for Sport regarding the winner of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations between Morocco and Senegal,” he said.

He added: “ليس في يدنا اي شيء لنفعله، ننتظر القرارات وسوف نطبقها على الجميع” – “There is nothing in our hands to do, we are waiting for the decisions and we will apply them to everyone.”

Title taken from Senegal – and handed to hosts

CAF’s initial competition outcome saw Senegal crowned champions after their victory over Morocco in the final, played in the North African country.

However, following the tournament, CAF issued a surprise ruling: the title was withdrawn from Senegal and assigned to Morocco instead. In addition, the organisation announced “severe” disciplinary measures against both teams, though full details of the sanctions have not been made public in this statement.

The move instantly plunged African football’s flagship tournament into controversy and triggered a legal battle over the trophy, medals and the historical record of the competition.

Senegal takes case to sport’s top court

In response to CAF’s decision, the Senegalese Football Federation lodged a formal complaint with CAS, based in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The appeal challenges both the reassignment of the title and the sanctions imposed, and asks CAS to determine who should be officially recognised as the 2025 AFCON winners.

CAS has the authority to uphold, modify or overturn CAF’s ruling. Its verdict will be binding on all parties.

CAF pledges to respect CAS ruling

Motsepe insisted CAF will abide by whatever the court decides and stressed that the governing body will not intervene further until CAS has delivered its judgment.

By stating that “we will apply [the decisions] to everyone”, the CAF president signalled that any ruling could have consequences beyond just the title holders, potentially affecting the disciplinary action taken against both Morocco and Senegal.

No timetable has been formally announced for CAS to publish its decision. Until then, Africa’s most recent continental crown remains the subject of an unprecedented legal dispute rather than purely a matter of sport.