Rabat – The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said on Monday, that its ruling on Senegal’s appeal against the decision awarding Morocco the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title is expected at the end of November.
In its latest procedural update, the Lausanne-based court confirmed that the three-member arbitration panel is still deliberating following the closed-door hearing held on October 8.
The arbitrators have decided to issue a complete ruling, known as a CAS Award, which will include the legal grounds supporting their decision.
According to CAS, preparing the full ruling will require several weeks, with its publication now expected toward the end of November.
The new timeline indicates a longer wait than initially suggested following the hearing. On October 8, CAS Director General Matthieu Reeb told reporters that he expected a decision within days, according to Reuters, although he did not provide a specific date.
Monday’s statement also stressed that only communications issued through CAS channels should be treated as official. Any announcement concerning the case will be published on the court’s website.
How the dispute reached CAS
The case stems from the January 18 AFCON final in Rabat, where several Senegalese players temporarily left the pitch in protest against a late penalty awarded to Morocco.
Play eventually resumed, but Brahim Diaz missed the spot kick, and Senegal went on to win 1-0 after extra time through Pape Gueye’s goal.
Following an appeal by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), CAF’s Appeal Board overturned the result on March 17. It ruled that Senegal had breached Article 82 of the competition regulations and applied Article 84 to register a 3-0 victory for Morocco, crowning the Atlas Lions champions of Africa.
The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) subsequently challenged the decision before CAS on March 25, seeking to overturn CAF’s ruling and restore Senegal’s status as champions.
With deliberations still underway, the expected November ruling will determine whether CAF’s decision stands or is overturned.
