CAS hearing reveals disputed second referee’s report in Morocco-Senegal final case

Reports from Senegal have revealed fresh details from Thursday’s closed-door hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland, where the dispute over the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final between Morocco and Senegal was examined.

The Moroccan side told the hearing that a second report by the match referee existed, but lawyers representing the Confederation of African Football (CAF) rejected the claim.

Although the proceedings were held in private, some information from inside the hearing emerged through the Senegalese website Sene News, which cited a source present in Lausanne.

According to that source, Morocco’s defence introduced what could prove to be a significant new element in the case. It referred to an alleged second report prepared by the final’s referee, Congolese official Jean-Jacques Ndala.

The document is understood to have been intended either to supplement or add details to the official report submitted after the match.

The nature and contents of the alleged report have not been established, and it remains unclear whether it can be admitted as part of the case. However, its mention prompted an immediate response from CAF’s legal representatives.

Disagreement over key evidence

CAF lawyers rejected the Moroccan side’s assertion that a second referee’s report existed.

The disagreement is notable because CAF and Morocco are both opposing the appeal lodged by the Senegalese Football Federation. Senegal is challenging the decision that removed the title from the country and awarded the match to Morocco.

The referee’s report is considered a major document in the proceedings because it relates to the incidents that took place during the Africa Cup of Nations final. CAF relied on the match evidence when making its decision in the dispute.

The hearing took place without spectators or media representatives after the parties requested that it be conducted behind closed doors. CAS confirmed that the session had been held privately.

With the hearing now complete, the three-member arbitration panel, made up of European arbitrators, is expected to begin its deliberations.

CAS said it could not provide a precise date for its ruling. It did, however, confirm that no decision would be issued on Thursday.