The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) lodged an appeal on March 25th with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne. This appeal challenges the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) controversial decision to award the CAN 2025 title to Morocco via administrative ruling, despite Senegal having secured a 1-0 victory on the field in a tumultuous final. Morocco is now mandated to submit its defense documentation by May 7th.

The ongoing contention surrounding the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2025 final has entered a critical new phase. Following the appeal by the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF), the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has set May 7th as the definitive deadline for the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) to present its statement of defense.

This deadline aligns with the standard procedural timeframe granted to parties involved in a legal challenge once an appeal is filed. In this particular case, the FSF has opted to challenge both the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the FRMF, asserting that the initial decision was detrimental to Senegal’s interests.

Previously, the CAS had issued a statement confirming the proper receipt of the appeal lodged by the Senegalese sporting body. As per the established regulations, the appealing party is afforded a twenty-day period to articulate its arguments, after which the opposing parties are granted an equivalent duration to submit their responses.

However, a request for suspension put forth by the FSF has temporarily decelerated the procedural progression, thereby preventing the creation of a definitive timeline or the scheduling of a hearing at this juncture.

Central to this dispute is the ruling issued on March 17th by CAF’s Appeal Jury. This ruling upheld Senegal’s defeat *by forfeit*, effectively overturning the initial outcome of the final match. The controversy stems from the January 18th encounter, where Senegalese players temporarily abandoned the pitch for several minutes to protest a penalty awarded to Morocco in the dying moments of the game.

Consequently, the contention between the two football federations is set to follow a more conventional legal pathway, which is considerably more protracted than a straightforward arbitration process. Currently, both parties are engaged in a written procedure, each submitting their respective documentation. An arbitral tribunal, tasked with adjudicating the CAS dispute, must now be formed. This panel will comprise three independent arbitrators: one selected by Senegal, one by the defending parties (CAF and Morocco), and a neutral president appointed by the CAS itself.

Following consultations with both Federations, the arbitral panel will schedule a formal hearing where the CAS will receive oral testimonies before commencing its deliberations. Subsequently, a final decision will be issued. However, despite assurances from the CAS, this entire process could extend over several months.

Although Senegal had initially claimed the trophy with a crucial goal from Pape Gueye, the definitive outcome of the match now hinges entirely on the arbitration ruling by the CAS.