The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has set a hearing date for the disputed AFCON 2025 title between Senegal and Morocco. The hearing will take place on October 8 at its headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, with proceedings scheduled to begin at 9:30 am local time. A three-member panel will hear arguments from Senegal, Morocco, and the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The hearing will be conducted in French and closed to the public and press.
The dispute traces back to the AFCON final played in Rabat on January 18. Senegal won the match 1-0 after extra time, with Pape Gueye scoring the winning goal. However, a late controversy during normal time saw Morocco awarded a penalty, prompting Senegal's players to walk off the pitch in protest. Although Senegal completed the win, CAF's Appeal Board later ruled that Senegal had forfeited the match, awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory and declaring them the 2025 AFCON champions.
Senegal swiftly filed an appeal with CAS on March 25, seeking to have CAF's ruling overturned and their title reinstated. The case, registered under number CAS 2026/A/12295, will be adjudicated by a three-member arbitration panel. Professor Gérald Simon of France will serve as president of the panel, joined by Professor Luigi Fumagalli of Italy and Professor Dr Ulrich Haas of Germany.
Representatives of the Senegalese Football Federation and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation will attend the hearing in person, while CAF will participate through its legal counsel. The hearing is not a verdict-delivery session, and CAS has not indicated when its final ruling will be published. For now, Morocco holds the title awarded to them by CAF, while Senegal awaits the outcome of a process they hope will reverse that decision.
The CAS hearing is a critical stage in the legal battle over Africa's biggest football prize. The outcome will determine the true champion of the 2025 AFCON. Senegal is seeking to have CAF's ruling overturned and their title reinstated, while Morocco is looking to retain the title awarded to them.
The panel will listen to arguments from all sides before beginning its deliberations. The sports court has not indicated when its final ruling will be published, leaving both teams in limbo. The hearing will be a crucial step in resolving the dispute, but a decision is not expected on the day.
The AFCON 2025 title dispute has been ongoing since March, with both teams vying for the championship. The CAS hearing on October 8 will be a key moment in the process, as a three-member panel hears arguments from Senegal, Morocco, and CAF. The final ruling will ultimately determine the champion of the 2025 AFCON.
Key points
- The CAS hearing for the AFCON 2025 title dispute will take place on October 8 in Lausanne, Switzerland.
- A three-member panel will hear arguments from Senegal, Morocco, and CAF.
- The hearing is not a verdict-delivery session, and CAS has not indicated when its final ruling will be published.
