Senegal takes CAN 2025 final dispute to CAS after receiving CAF ruling

After a three-week wait, the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football has finally obtained the detailed justification from the CAF Appeals Jury. This official document is the mandatory step required to initiate legal proceedings at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to contest the decision that declared Maroc the winner of CAN 2025 by forfeit.

The report reaffirms the jury’s choice to award a 3-0 victory to Maroc. However, the document clarifies that the jury does not have the jurisdiction to rule on the distribution of medals, prize money, or the trophy itself. This technicality has created a state of confusion, as the CAF Executive Committee has refrained from making an official announcement regarding the tournament winner, with the CAF President indicating that the final word rests with the CAS.

No official timeline yet for the CAS verdict

The controversy surrounding the CAN 2025 final is nearing its conclusion, more than two months after a match defined by crowd trouble and the Sénégal team’s decision to walk off the field. Although the CAS has not released a specific calendar for the case, its upcoming deliberations will represent the end of the road for both nations, as no further legal recourse will be available.

“The CAS is fully prepared to resolve these types of disagreements with the help of independent and specialized arbitrators,” stated Matthieu Reeb, Director General of the CAS. He added that while they understand the urgency for fans and teams to have a resolution, the priority remains a fair legal process conducted as efficiently as possible.