The legal battle surrounding the CAN 2025 final has intensified, with the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) officially lodging an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAS) in Lausanne. This action, taken on March 25, contests the Confédération africaine de football (CAF)’s decision to award the CAN 2025 title to Morocco via administrative ruling, despite Senegal’s 1-0 victory on the field. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) now faces a deadline of May 7 to submit its defense brief to the tribunal.
This development marks a critical juncture in the ongoing dispute over the African Cup of Nations 2025 final. Following the FSF’s formal complaint, the TAS has stipulated May 7 as the final date for the FRMF to present its written response. This deadline aligns with standard procedural regulations, allowing the accused parties sufficient time to respond after an appeal has been filed. The FSF’s appeal specifically targets both the CAF and the FRMF, challenging a decision it deems unjust toward Senegal.
The TAS had previously confirmed its receipt of the Senegalese body’s appeal. Under established rules, the appealing party is granted a 20-day period to submit its arguments, after which the opposing parties are given an equivalent timeframe to formulate their counter-arguments. However, a request for suspension put forth by the FSF has temporarily paused the proceedings, preventing the establishment of a clear timeline or the scheduling of a hearing at this stage.
At the heart of this controversy lies the CAF Appeal Jury’s ruling on March 17, which effectively overturned the on-field outcome by validating Senegal’s defeat through an administrative decision. The initial match, held on January 18, saw Senegalese players temporarily leave the pitch to protest a penalty awarded to Morocco in the game’s closing moments.
Consequently, the resolution of this conflict between the two federations is set to follow a more traditional, and potentially lengthy, arbitration path rather than a swift settlement. Initially, both sides will engage in a written procedure, each submitting their respective documentation. A three-member arbitration panel will then be constituted by the TAS to adjudicate the matter. This panel will comprise one arbitrator selected by Senegal, another by the defense (CAF and Morocco), and a neutral president appointed by the TAS.
Following consultations with both federations, this arbitration panel will schedule a hearing where oral testimonies will be heard before deliberations commence. A final decision will then be issued, although, despite assurances from the TAS, this process could extend over several months. While Senegal initially lifted the trophy thanks to Pape Gueye’s decisive goal, the ultimate fate of the match now rests entirely on the TAS’s impending arbitration.
