BREAKING NEWS: CAS sets October hearing to decide 2025 AFCON title dispute

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has scheduled a hearing for October 8 to determine the outcome of the dispute over the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title.

BREAKING NEWS!



The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has scheduled a hearing for October 8 to determine the outcome of the dispute over the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title. pic.twitter.com/M0zVmE2ilK

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The case pits the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) against the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), following Senegal's appeal against a CAF ruling that declared the Teranga Lions to have forfeited the 2025 AFCON.

Senegal is seeking to overturn CAF's decision, which resulted in Morocco being awarded the continental title. The appeal challenges the governing body's determination that Senegal forfeited the tournament, a ruling that effectively handed the championship to the Atlas Lions.

CAS confirmed that the parties involved did not agree to an expedited procedure. As a result, the case is proceeding under the standard timetable outlined in the court's procedural rules.

The hearing will be conducted behind closed doors, with representatives of the Senegalese Football Federation, CAF and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation expected to present their arguments before the arbitration panel.

Following the hearing, the CAS panel will begin its deliberations before issuing a final and binding decision on the matter. No timeline has been announced for when the verdict will be delivered.

The outcome of the case is expected to bring clarity to one of the most significant legal disputes in African football in recent years, as CAS determines whether CAF's decision to award the 2025 AFCON title to Morocco should stand or be overturned in favour of Senegal.

A ruling in favour of Senegal could reshape the official record of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, while a decision upholding CAF's position would confirm Morocco as the tournament's rightful champions.

• What happened?

Senegal’s players left the pitch during second-half stoppage time of the final after Morocco were awarded a penalty following a VAR review, shortly after Senegal had a goal disallowed.

The then head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw instructed his players to leave the field before captain Sadio Mane persuaded them to return following a delay of around 14 minutes.

Morocco’s Brahim Diaz subsequently missed the penalty before Pape Gueye scored the game’s only goal four minutes into extra time.

CAF’s disciplinary board rejected Morocco’s initial forfeiture request on January 28 but imposed sanctions over the incident.

The Senegalese federation was fined a total of $615,000, while Thiaw received a five-match suspension and a $100,000 fine. Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr were each suspended for two CAF matches.

CAF’s appeal board overturned that decision on March 17, ruled that Senegal had breached tournament regulations by leaving the pitch without the referee’s permission and recorded the final as a 3-0 victory for Morocco.