Deadline set for Morocco to respond to Senegal’s CAN 2025 final appeal at CAS

The legal dispute surrounding the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final between Sénégal and Maroc is moving forward at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Following a formal appeal submitted by the Sénégal Football Federation on March 25, the CAS has granted the Royal Moroccan Football Federation until May 7, 2026, to file its defense memorandum. This development represents a critical phase in the judicial conflict over the ultimate outcome of the CAN 2025 tournament.

As a reminder, the FSF is appealing the decision issued on March 17 by the CAF Appeals Jury. That ruling had declared Sénégal the losers by forfeit, granting Maroc a 3-0 victory. The Sénégalese federation is seeking to have that verdict overturned and to be officially recognized as the champions of the competition.

The CAF’s original ruling stemmed from chaotic scenes during the final match. Sénégalese players exited the pitch for several minutes to voice their objection to a penalty awarded to Maroc in the dying moments of the game. Initially, Sénégal believed they had secured the title following a late goal by Pape Gueye, before the situation shifted into a legal battle. Meanwhile, Maroc is reportedly assembling its case to protect its championship status before the jurisdiction in Lausanne. The May 7 deadline will serve as a pivotal moment before the next steps of the procedure and a potential hearing.