The legal battle surrounding the CAN 2025 final between Senegal and Morocco has taken another turn at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The Senegalese Football Federation filed an appeal with the CAS on March 25, prompting a new phase in this high-stakes football dispute.
Morocco granted extended deadline to respond
The CAS has set a new deadline of May 7, 2026 for the Royal Moroccan Football Federation to submit its defense. This extension marks a critical milestone in the ongoing legal confrontation over the outcome of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, where the initial ruling favored Morocco.
Senegal challenges CAF’s decision
The Senegalese Football Federation is contesting the Confederation of African Football’s March 17 verdict, which declared Senegal defeated by forfeit and awarded a 3-0 victory to Morocco. The Senegalese side is seeking the annulment of this decision, aiming to be recognized as the legitimate tournament champion.
The CAF’s ruling came after a dramatic finale marred by on-field protests. Senegalese players walked off the pitch for several minutes to contest a late penalty awarded to Morocco, initially celebrating what they believed was a late winning goal by Pape Gueye. The legal reversal that followed has since escalated into a formal appeal process.
Next steps in the legal showdown
With the May 7 deadline approaching, both federations are preparing their legal arguments. Morocco is expected to strengthen its case to uphold the original verdict, while Senegal continues its pursuit to overturn the outcome. The upcoming date could determine whether the case proceeds to a full hearing or reaches a negotiated resolution ahead of the next procedural phase.
