Former Senegal international Boukary Dramé has acknowledged that Morocco could legally secure the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 title. He urged Senegal to respect the final decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), even if it favors Morocco. Dramé made these comments in an interview with African football outlet Africa Foot. He admitted that the ongoing legal battle could end with Morocco officially retaining the continental title despite Senegal's victory on the pitch.
The dispute concerns the AFCON 2025 final, which Senegal won 1-0 after extra time. However, CAF's Appeals Committee later overturned the result, awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory and recognizing the Atlas Lions as continental champions. Senegal subsequently challenged the ruling before CAS, seeking to overturn CAF's decision and reclaim the title. Dramé stressed that the dispute has reached a stage where legal procedures will determine the final outcome.
CAS held a hearing on Thursday, October 8, in Lausanne, Switzerland, to examine Senegal's appeal against CAF's decision. Dramé expressed concern about the damage the controversy has caused to African football's international reputation. He believes the dispute highlights organizational challenges that African football must address. The former Senegal international, who represented his country between 2005 and 2016, thinks the controversy gives the impression of a continent that is not serious.
Dramé described the controversy surrounding the Morocco-Senegal final as an exceptional situation. He referred to previous incidents in which teams reportedly left the pitch during matches without receiving comparable sanctions. However, he pointed out that the AFCON 2025 final presented a different situation because the match eventually continued until its conclusion. Dramé acknowledged that the unusual circumstances make the legal dispute particularly significant for African football.
Representatives of Morocco reportedly left the CAS premises following Thursday's hearing without making public statements. On the Senegalese side, Abdoulaye Sidou Sow, General Secretary of the Senegalese Football Federation, expressed confidence in the arguments presented by his country's legal team. According to GOAL, Sow maintained that Senegal had presented a strong defense during the proceedings.
CAS is expected to deliver its ruling in the coming days, although no official date has been announced. The decision will determine whether CAF's ruling awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory remains in place or whether Senegal succeeds in overturning it. Dramé expressed confidence that African football has the resources and potential to improve its standards. He also called on football authorities to learn from the controversy and prevent similar incidents in future continental competitions.
Dramé hopes that this phase will be a reason for African football to develop and that such incidents will not be repeated in the future. The former defender emphasized that Senegal must accept the Court of Arbitration for Sport's final ruling, even if it confirms Morocco's victory in the disputed AFCON 2025 final. He added that if the ruling comes out considering Morocco African champions, then Senegal has to accept it.
Key points
- Morocco could legally secure the AFCON 2025 title despite Senegal's victory on the pitch.
- The dispute highlights organizational challenges that African football must address.
- CAS is expected to deliver its ruling in the coming days.
