The legal battle over the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) final between Senegal and Morocco has taken another turn at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAS) in Lausanne.
The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) filed an appeal with the TAS on March 25, prompting the court to grant the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) until May 7, 2026 to submit its defense. This extension marks a critical phase in the ongoing dispute over the final’s outcome, which has sparked intense debate across the continent.
The root of the conflict stems from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeal Jury’s March 17 decision. The jury ruled that Senegal had forfeited the match, awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory. The FSF has strongly contested this ruling, demanding the verdict be overturned and Senegal declared the legitimate winner of the tournament.
The CAF’s decision followed controversial moments in the final, where Senegal’s players walked off the pitch for several minutes to protest a last-minute penalty awarded to Morocco. Initially, Senegal celebrated what they believed was a late winner by Pape Gueye, only for the decision to be overturned under CAF’s rules.
Meanwhile, Morocco is preparing to defend its title at the TAS, with the May 7 deadline serving as a pivotal moment before potential further legal proceedings or an eventual hearing. The outcome of this case could reshape the legacy of the CAN 2025 and set a precedent for future football disputes in Africa.
