The Moroccan football federation responds to Senegal’s appeal at the CAS

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has officially filed its defense before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) following Senegal’s appeal against the CAF’s decision to award the CAN 2025 hosting rights to Morocco. Addressing concerns about potential procedural delays, Morocco confirms that its submission strictly adheres to all established regulations and timelines set by the international tribunal.

What happens next at the CAS?

The Moroccan federation’s submission has now entered the evaluation phase at the CAS, where an appointed panel will meticulously review all arguments presented by both the Moroccan and Senegalese sides. This procedural step is critical before any final ruling can be issued regarding the host nation controversy.

Recent claims suggesting Morocco (and CAF) might have lost the right to defend their position due to missed deadlines have been categorically dismissed. According to CAS regulations, submission deadlines are extended to the next business day when the deadline falls on a public holiday—such as Sunday—and the Moroccan submission was filed on Monday, fully compliant with these provisions.

Background of the dispute

The origins of this legal confrontation trace back to the CAN 2025 final, where Senegal walked off the pitch, leading to a forfeiture ruling. The CAF’s Appeals Committee subsequently declared Senegal the losing team by default and awarded Morocco a 3–0 technical victory. This decision triggered Senegal’s formal appeal to the CAS, prompting Morocco to submit its formal defense in response.

As the process unfolds, football stakeholders across Africa are closely monitoring developments that could reshape the continental football landscape well before the tournament’s scheduled kickoff.