CAS ruling on Senegal-Morocco AFCON final expected in November

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) says it expects to deliver its ruling by the end of November on Senegal’s appeal against the decision to award Morocco the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title.

In a statement, the Lausanne-based court said a hearing concerning the Senegalese Football Federation's appeal against the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation was held behind closed doors on Oct. 8.

"The Panel have begun and continue their deliberations," CAS said.

The dispute stems from the AFCON final on Jan. 18 in Rabat, where Senegal defeated hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time following a chaotic conclusion to regular time.

With the match goalless in stoppage time, Morocco were awarded a penalty following a Video Assistant Referee review, prompting Senegal's players to temporarily leave the pitch in protest.

Play resumed after a lengthy interruption, with Morocco's Brahim Diaz subsequently having a Panenka-style penalty saved by Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.

Pape Gueye then scored in extra time to secure a 1-0 victory for Senegal.

However, on March 17, CAF's Appeal Board overturned the result following a Moroccan appeal, ruling that Senegal had forfeited the match by leaving the field without authorization.

The board awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory and the continental title, citing Articles 82 and 84 of the competition's regulations.

Senegal appealed the decision to CAS on March 25, seeking to overturn CAF's ruling and be reinstated as African champions.