CAS begins hearing over Morocco-Senegal dispute for 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has begun hearing the Senegal Football Federation’s appeal against the Confederation of African Football (CAF) decision concerning the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco.

The hearing opened on Thursday morning in Lausanne, Switzerland, with representatives of Senegal, Morocco and CAF present alongside their respective lawyers.

Senegal defeated Morocco 1-0 in the final, held last January. CAF later awarded the title to Morocco, arguing that Senegal’s players had withdrawn in protest at Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala’s decision to award a penalty to Morocco.

The session is scheduled to continue until 16:00 local time in Lausanne (17:00 Mecca time and 14:00 Rabat time), although CAS director general Matthieu Reeb said it was unlikely to run beyond that point.

The three-member arbitration panel consists of French professor Gerald Simon, German professor Ulrich Haas and Italian professor Luigi Fumagalli.

“We started the hearing with representatives of all the parties present – Senegal, Morocco and the Confederation of African Football – and all the parties are represented by lawyers,” Reeb told media in Lausanne, in comments reported by French network RMC.

“We have a relatively strict timetable, which was agreed with the parties themselves.”

He added: “The hearing is expected to continue until 15:00, 15:30 or 16:00 Lausanne time. I do not think it will go beyond 16:00.”

No immediate ruling is expected

Reeb said the panel would not issue its ruling immediately after the hearing, because the arbitrators would need time to consider the case and prepare their decision, including its legal reasoning.

“Our aim is to issue the decision as quickly as possible after the hearing,” he said.

“I do not think the decision will be issued today or tomorrow, and I am almost certain of that. As for the next stage, we may need to wait until this afternoon for further information from the court, so that I can give you more details.”

He added: “It could take a few days or even a few weeks if the arbitrators want to prepare a full decision setting out the legal reasons.”

Reeb also acknowledged the frustration among supporters in both countries and across Africa, who have been waiting for a final outcome since the disputed final.

“I fully understand that the wait for the Moroccan and Senegalese fans, as well as all African supporters, has lasted a long time,” he said.

“The timetable for the proceedings was established in agreement with all the parties concerned, and today’s hearing schedule was also set by mutual agreement.”

He said CAS, as the final body responsible for deciding sports justice matters, would seek to conclude the case as soon as possible.

“The aim of the Court of Arbitration for Sport, as the final body to rule on matters of sports justice, is to issue a reasoned decision as soon as possible after today’s hearing.”