CAS rules on Morocco-Senegal dispute after controversial CAF verdict in Africa Cup of Nations 2025

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is examining on Thursday in Lausanne the appeal filed by the Senegal Football Federation against the Confederation of African Football (CAF) decision to award the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title to Morocco, two months after a final played on January 18 in Rabat.

On the pitch, Senegal had appeared to win 1-0 in extra time against the Lions of the Atlas. But in March, the CAF made a dramatic reversal: citing articles 82 and 84 of its regulations, it sanctioned Senegal for the conduct of several of its players, who had left the field before the end of regular time during a particularly chaotic episode. Congolese referee M. Ndala had then awarded a penalty to the Moroccans — ultimately missed — after a stoppage of approximately fifteen minutes, before allowing the match to continue despite the unsanctioned departures.

It is precisely the legitimacy of this late verdict that three CAS judges are tasked with reexamining in its entirety. The central point of the dispute: was the referee justified in resuming the match under these conditions, then validating the final score in extra time? Could the CAF, two months after the events, overturn this result and crown Morocco?

Several outcomes remain possible following the hearing: confirmation of Morocco’s title, restoration of Senegal’s victory, or referral of the case back to the African confederation for sovereign review. The precise timeline for the ruling has not been communicated.