Alexandre Ruiz has reignited discussions concerning the status of Sénégal in the 2025 tournament. Currently, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has yet to deliver a final verdict on the appeal filed by the Senegalese Football Federation. This legal battle follows a decision by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to revoke the victory of Sénégal in the final against Maroc, subsequently awarding the trophy to the Moroccans following a disciplinary ruling. Refusing to accept this sanction, Sénégal turned to the CAS for a final resolution.

Amidst this ongoing legal uncertainty, media commentary remains vibrant. During a recent interview, journalist Alexandre Ruiz shared a definitive stance on the sporting outcome, looking past the administrative complexities.

He asserted that once the final whistle sounds and a winner is determined on the pitch, that result should stand. Ruiz explicitly stated that, in his view, Sénégal is the champion of Africa. This perspective has resonated deeply within Sénégal, where many supporters believe the physical performance on the field should outweigh administrative penalties.

Despite the comments from Alexandre Ruiz, the official regulatory situation remains unchanged. At the institutional level, CAF continues to uphold its decision based on specific disciplinary codes that altered the tournament’s final standing.

The Senegalese Football Federation remains steadfast in its challenge, looking to the CAS as the ultimate authority to settle the dispute. Until that judgment is passed, the title officially remains with Maroc as per the provisional findings of CAF.

This situation highlights a broader tension in modern football: whether the final score on the field or institutional regulations should define the ultimate victor. For many observers, the athletic achievement at the end of the match is the only true reference, while others argue that disciplinary rules are an essential part of the competition that can legitimately change a sporting outcome.