CAN 2025 final: TAS grants Morocco until may 7 for Senegal appeal

The legal battle over the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final escalates as the TAS extends deadlines

The unresolved dispute surrounding the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final between Senegal and Morocco has taken another legal turn. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAS) has granted the Royal Moroccan Football Federation an additional deadline—until May 7, 2026—to submit its defense in response to Senegal’s appeal.

What’s behind Senegal’s appeal against the CAF ruling?

The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) filed its appeal on March 25, contesting the Confederation of African Football (CAF) appeal jury’s decision. The jury had ruled in favor of Morocco, declaring Senegal’s team defeated by default and awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory. This ruling stemmed from a highly controversial moment during the final match: Senegalese players walked off the pitch in protest for several minutes after a late penalty was awarded to Morocco, overturning what Senegal believed was a last-minute win by Pape Gueye. The original match outcome was later overturned through the CAF’s appeal process, sparking this legal confrontation.

Legal proceedings: What happens next?

The May 7 deadline marks a critical phase in the arbitration process. Morocco now has time to prepare and submit its formal defense, while Senegal awaits a resolution that could either uphold the CAF’s decision or annul it in favor of recognizing Senegal as the legitimate tournament champion. Should the dispute not be resolved by then, the case may proceed to a full hearing before the TAS in Lausanne.

Implications for the 2025 CAN title

The outcome of this legal challenge will determine which nation officially holds the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations trophy. Until then, the title remains undecided, and the football world watches closely as both federations prepare their cases for the final showdown in the court of arbitration.

By Élise Ntamag — Regional policy