Mustapha Hadji backs Morocco’s disputed Africa Cup of Nations title before CAS verdict

More than nine months after the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 final, Morocco and Senegal remain locked in a dispute over the trophy, with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) yet to deliver its ruling.

The case has become as much a legal matter as a sporting one, and former Morocco international Mustapha Hadji has reignited the controversy by insisting the title was correctly awarded to the Atlas Lions.

Speaking to Arabic media outlet Kooora, Hadji argued that Senegal’s temporary departure from the pitch during the final should have resulted in a sanction.

“Morocco did not commit any fault, while the Senegalese players left the pitch. The law therefore says that Morocco has the right to recover the Africa Cup,” said Hadji.

“We did not steal the Cup. We won it according to the regulations and the events that took place on the pitch.”

Senegal’s players had initially won the final 1-0 after extra time in Rabat on 18 January. They left the field in response to a penalty awarded to Morocco in stoppage time, but the match was later resumed.

The CAF appeal committee subsequently reclassified Senegal’s actions as a forfeit, changing the result to a 3-0 win for Morocco.

Senegal continues to regard that decision as an administrative seizure of a trophy won on the pitch. The dispute now centres on whether the match’s sporting result should stand because play resumed and the game was completed, or whether the temporary abandonment justified the eventual punishment.

Hadji also criticised referee Jean-Jacques Ndala for allowing the final to continue.

“The referee made a serious mistake when he decided to continue the match after the Senegalese players had left the pitch,” he said.

The former Atlas Lion also questioned why the assistant referees, VAR and CAF officials did not impose greater control over the Congolese official’s decision.

Hadji believes Senegal’s players understand that the decision to restart the match was irregular.

“They know the regulations and are fully aware of what happened. They know that the referee made that decision to allow the match to finish without causing more serious problems,” he said.

The hearing took place in Lausanne on 8 October, attended by representatives of both national federations and CAF. The arbitration panel is now deliberating, with its decision expected towards the end of November.

Hadji said he would respect the judgment, regardless of the outcome, although he hopes it favours Morocco. He also called for the matter not to continue indefinitely, arguing that it is damaging the image of African football.

His comments, however, have added fresh fuel to a dispute that remains unresolved. By insisting Morocco did not “steal” the title and that Senegal “knows” what happened, the Moroccan football legend has once again placed the final at the centre of debate before CAS delivers its verdict.