Report: CAS likely to uphold Morocco’s 2025 AFCON title

The African Center for Strategic and Digital Studies said the Court of Arbitration for Sport is likely to uphold a decision by the Confederation of African Football awarding Morocco the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title following its final against Senegal.

In a recent report, the center said this scenario is supported by CAF regulations and the seriousness of Senegalese players leaving the pitch during the match.

However, it noted that other outcomes remain possible, including a ruling in Senegal’s favor or a compromise decision.

The dispute centers on two competing legal interpretations. CAF considers the players’ departure a violation of competition rules, while Senegal is expected to argue that the match had already concluded, and that altering the result afterward would undermine legal certainty and the authority of the referee.

Beyond the title itself, the report said the case raises broader issues related to governance, soft power and public perception, with match stability seen as a key concern in international football.

It warned that allowing players to leave the pitch as a form of protest could set a dangerous precedent, strengthening Morocco’s argument from an institutional perspective to deter similar incidents in the future.

At the same time, the report identified Senegal’s strongest argument before CAS as the fact that the match was resumed and completed, which could weaken the case for imposing an administrative forfeit under international sports law.

The center noted that CAS has full authority to review both the facts and the law but typically grants sports federations a margin of discretion in interpreting their regulations, intervening only when decisions are deemed arbitrary or disproportionate.

It also called for using the case as an opportunity to advance reforms in African football governance, including clearer protocols for match interruptions and stronger sports diplomacy mechanisms.

The report added that Morocco’s legal strategy should rely on the clarity of the rules, the tense conditions that required completing the match, and the need to prevent similar disruptions in the future.

On Wednesday, the Senegalese Football Federation filed an appeal with CAS challenging the outcome of the 2025 AFCON final, targeting both CAF and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation.

CAS said it will appoint an arbitration panel to review the case, after which a procedural timetable will be set. Typically, appellants have 20 days to submit their brief, followed by another 20 days for respondents, although the timeline remains uncertain due to Senegal’s request to suspend the deadline.