CAS may rule on procedure before deciding Africa Cup title

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) heard arguments from all parties on Thursday in the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 final dispute, played on 18 January between Morocco and Senegal. The central question may not be the one both camps hope will be decided first.

Recap of events: Senegal won the final in extra time, but the CAF appeals jury subsequently awarded the title to Morocco by forfeit (3-0) following the temporary departure of Senegalese players from the pitch. It is this decision that the CAS is now called upon to examine.

According to Me Renaud Duchêne, a sports law specialist, the CAS will not directly re-evaluate the sporting result of the match. “It will have to determine whether the decision leading to designating the winner by forfeit is valid under the regulations in force,” he explained. When asked about the Court’s ability to directly consecrate one of the two countries, he replies: “Indirectly, yes, but it will above all validate or invalidate the decision of the CAF appeals jury.”

Both parties nevertheless have arguments to put forward. Morocco can rely on the incidents that occurred during the match and their regulatory handling. Senegal, for its part, could invoke the referee’s authority over the match proceedings: the players had left the field without the referee officially recording it, and the match went to its conclusion, which could be interpreted as implicit validation of the sporting result.

But for Me Duchêne, the heart of the case lies elsewhere: in the admissibility of the appeal filed by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) with the CAF. “The panel will have to verify whether procedures were followed. For example: was the FRMF appeal filed within the deadline? Was the request submitted according to the prescribed procedures?” he specified.

If the CAS concludes there is a procedural flaw in that initial appeal, the decision of the CAF appeals jury could be annulled without the Court ruling on the merits — potentially leaving the on-field result, favourable to Senegal, in effect. The CAS decision is expected in the coming weeks.