Contrary to some reports, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has officially submitted its legal response to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland, regarding the appeal the Senegalese Football Federation submitted over the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final.
The appeal challenges CAF’s decision to uphold Morocco’s AFCON 2025 title after Senegal withdrew from the final match against the Atlas Lions.
According to Almountakhab, sources within the Moroccan federation denied reports claiming that the federation had failed to meet the legal deadline to submit its defense to CAS. The same sources insisted that all procedural requirements and deadlines were fully respected in accordance with the applicable legal regulations.
According to the federation, the original deadline fell on a weekend, automatically extending the submission period to the next official working day. As a result, Morocco’s legal file was officially submitted on Monday, May 11, 2026.
The federation’s move aims to reinforce the legitimacy of its legal position while rejecting suggestions of procedural irregularities that could affect the case before CAS.
The problem’s root
The dispute stems from a ruling by CAF’s Appeals Committee, which awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory following Senegal’s withdrawal from the AFCON 2025 final.
Senegal’s coach instructed the team to leave the pitch after Morocco was awarded a legitimate penalty during the game. The Senegalese players then remained off the field for more than 15 minutes before play eventually resumed.
Morocco’s legal argument relies on clear CAF regulations stating that any team withdrawing from a match is considered to have forfeited the game. The federation has also submitted documents and evidence detailing the circumstances surrounding the final, strengthening Morocco’s position in its bid to retain the continental title.
