CAS Sets October 8 Hearing to Decide 2025 AFCON Title Dispute

The long-running dispute over the winner of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will reach a crucial stage on October 8, when the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) hears Senegal’s appeal against the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) decision to strip the West African nation of the title and award it to Morocco.

CAS confirmed that the hearing will take place behind closed doors at its headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland. However, the court clarified that no final ruling will be issued on the day of the hearing, and it has not indicated when a verdict will be delivered.

The dispute stems from the dramatic AFCON final played in Rabat in January 2026.

Senegal initially defeated hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time, but the match was overshadowed by controversy after Senegal’s players temporarily walked off the pitch in protest over a disputed penalty decision and VAR intervention. Although the team later returned to complete the match and secured victory on the field, the incident sparked disciplinary proceedings.

In March, CAF’s Appeal Board ruled that Senegal had forfeited the final by leaving the field of play, even temporarily, in breach of competition regulations.

The governing body consequently overturned the on-field result and awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory by forfeit, officially declaring the Atlas Lions African champions. The decision prompted widespread debate across the continent, with many former players, football officials and supporters questioning whether an administrative ruling should overturn the result of a completed final.

The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) rejected CAF’s decision, describing it as unjust, and filed an appeal with CAS seeking to have the original result reinstated.

Senegal argues that the Appeal Board exceeded its authority by overturning the referee’s final decision and changing the outcome of a match that was completed on the field. CAS is now expected to examine whether CAF correctly interpreted and applied its regulations before reaching its decision.

CAS said the October 8 proceedings will not be open to the public, in line with its arbitration procedures.

Representatives of the Senegalese Football Federation, CAF and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation are expected to present legal arguments and evidence before the arbitration panel. Once deliberations conclude, the panel will issue a written decision at a later date.

The case has attracted enormous attention across African football because its outcome could reshape one of the most dramatic AFCON finals in history.

If CAS upholds CAF’s decision, Morocco will remain the official 2025 AFCON champions. However, if Senegal’s appeal succeeds, the original result could potentially be restored, returning the title to the Teranga Lions.

Football administrators and supporters across the continent are now expected to wait until after the October hearing, and possibly several weeks beyond, for a final legal resolution to one of African football’s most contentious championship disputes.