The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final has been embroiled in controversy since January, when Senegal's win over Morocco in Rabat descended into chaos. The match ended 1-0 in favor of Senegal, but Morocco's Royal Football Federation lodged a complaint with the Confederation of African Football, arguing that Senegal had breached competition regulations. The dispute centers on whether Senegal's players and staff left the field before the regular end of the match without the referee's authorization.
The Confederation of African Football's appeals board ruled in March that Senegal had forfeited the match, awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory. However, Senegal's federation appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, arguing that the ruling was "unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable". The Court of Arbitration for Sport, based in Lausanne, Switzerland, will hear Senegal's appeal on Thursday. The panel will be led by Frenchman Gerald Simon, a member of Cas for 23 years.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport was established in 1984 as an independent body to settle disputes in global sports. It handles over 900 cases annually, covering issues such as employment contracts, doping, and TV rights. In this case, the panel will examine whether Caf's appeals board correctly applied tournament regulations. If the panel fails to reach a consensus, its president will make the final decision.
A verdict is not expected on the day of the hearing, with Cas warning that its deliberation process may take several months. According to Cas' code, appeal verdicts should be delivered within four months of a hearing, although guidelines suggest that panels aim to deliver decisions in under three months. The 2020 Manchester City appeal to Cas over Uefa's decision to ban them from European club competitions is an example of a quicker verdict.
The dispute has already led to changes in football's rules. Ifab, the game's lawmaking body, introduced a new rule in April, allowing referees to sanction players and team officials who leave the field in protest at a referee's decision. A team that causes a match to be abandoned will, in principle, forfeit the match. Senegal coach Pape Thiaw has already lost his job following the team's World Cup exit.
Caf president Patrice Motsepe has stated that the governing body will "adhere to" and "respect" whatever Cas decides. If the verdict favors Senegal, it could lead to changes in the Afcon rulebook. The controversy has also led to a change in personnel, with Morocco's coach Walid Regragui dismissed in March. Both teams will likely view a successful appeal as a moral victory.
The long-term fallout from the dispute remains to be seen, but it is likely to linger between the two federations. The Court of Arbitration for Sport's decision will have significant implications for African football, and its governing body. The outcome will determine which team is crowned champion of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Key points
- The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final will be decided in a courtroom, not on the pitch.
- The dispute centers on whether Senegal's players and staff left the field before the regular end of the match without the referee's authorization.
- A verdict is not expected on the day of the hearing, with Cas warning that its deliberation process may take several months.
