The Tribunal Arbitral du Sport (TAS) has convened in Lausanne to hear the case between Senegal, Morocco, and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) regarding the 2025 CAN final. The hearing, which began on Thursday, October 8, 2026, aims to resolve the controversy surrounding the match, which was interrupted for several minutes due to a penalty awarded to Morocco and the temporary departure of Senegalese players.
The match ultimately ended with Senegal's victory, courtesy of a goal from Pape Gueye in extra time. However, several months later, the CAF announced Senegal's defeat on a green carpet, without officially declaring Morocco the winner. This decision was contested by Senegal before the TAS, with representatives from all parties, including Senegal, Morocco, and the CAF, being heard by a panel of three arbitrators.
The TAS panel, composed of French, German, and Italian specialists, Gérald Simon, Ulrich Haas, and Luigi Fumagalli, respectively, will deliver a verdict in the coming days or weeks. The hearing schedule, agreed upon by all parties, is expected to conclude by 3:00 or 4:00 pm local time. The TAS Director General, Matthieu Reeb, assured that the objective is to provide a motivated decision as soon as possible after the hearing.
Despite the significance of the hearing, a decision will not be made immediately, and supporters from both Morocco and Senegal will have to wait. Reeb stated that it may take a few days or weeks for the arbitrators to finalize their decision, depending on the complexity of the case. The TAS aims to bring a definitive conclusion to the dispute, which has been ongoing for several months.
The TAS hearing is a crucial step in resolving the controversy, with all parties represented by lawyers. The panel of arbitrators will carefully consider the arguments presented before making a decision. The CAF's initial decision to award Senegal a loss on a green carpet was met with strong opposition from the Senegalese team.
The supporters of both Morocco and Senegal have been eagerly awaiting the outcome, and the TAS Director General acknowledged their patience. Reeb emphasized that the TAS has established a calendar for the procedure with the agreement of all parties involved and will work to provide a decision in a timely manner.
As the last instance of sports justice, the TAS is committed to delivering a motivated decision as soon as possible. The verdict will bring closure to the controversy surrounding the 2025 CAN final and provide clarity on the outcome of the match.
Key points
- The TAS hearing aims to resolve the controversy surrounding the 2025 CAN final between Morocco and Senegal.
- A decision from the TAS is expected in the coming days or weeks.
- The TAS panel will deliver a motivated decision after carefully considering the arguments presented by all parties.
