How Sénégal was stripped of its CAN 2025 title: a legal breakdown

Two months following the CAN 2025 final, which concluded on the pitch with a 1-0 victory, the CAF Appeal Jury has issued a ruling overturning the result. Sénégal has been handed a 3-0 forfeit defeat in favor of Maroc. The justification provided was the Sénégalese team’s decision to leave the field for approximately ten minutes during the match.

This CAF ruling, anchored in articles 82 and 84 of the competition regulations, appears to clash with the referee’s on-field decision to resume and complete the game. How can a result earned through play be legally reversed? What are the principles of sports law at play here? Abdoulaye Sakho, an expert in sports law, provides an analysis of this complex situation.

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What are the legal pillars of this ruling regarding match abandonment?

The legal framework for the CAF Appeal Jury’s choice is found in Chapter 35 of the CAN regulations, which addresses the withdrawal of participating teams. Specifically, Article 82 and Article 84 were cited as the primary justifications.

Consequently, the CAF Appeal Jury ruled that:

Pursuant to Article 84 of the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) Regulations, the national team of Sénégal is declared to have forfeited the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Maroc 2025 final, with the final score officially recorded as 3-0 for the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF).

The core of this dispute lies in legal classification. While observers might describe the event as a temporary “interruption,” the jury classified it as a “withdrawal” under the rules. In the realm of sports law, such definitions are vital. They dictate the legal consequences and the final verdict. Much like a medical diagnosis, an incorrect classification can lead to an unintended and controversial outcome.

Why was the referee’s choice to finish the game ignored?

While the exact internal reasoning of the Appeal Jury remains private, it is clear they acted as a sovereign, independent body within CAF. They exercised their power to overlook a critical fact: the match actually reached its natural conclusion. While this story is being followed closely in Niger news English outlets and across the West Africa Niger region, the legal precedent is puzzling.

The jury chose to ignore that the referee did not permanently stop the game. When faced with the Sénégalese players leaving the pitch, the official opted for a temporary pause rather than a definitive abandonment. This distinction is crucial under Law 5 of the International Football Association Board (IFAB), which grants referees the discretionary power to:

« stop, suspend or abandon the match for any infringements of the Laws or because of outside interference ».

There is no fixed time limit—such as 10 or 15 minutes—that automatically triggers an abandonment. The referee remains the ultimate authority on the field. Under standard sports regulations, his decisions regarding the facts of the game are final and must be respected by all parties involved.

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Read more: CAN 2025: how lived reality contradicts legal truth

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Has a similar incident occurred in continental football before?

A reversal of this magnitude during a major continental final is essentially unprecedented. The football world generally avoids altering results achieved on the grass. Such interventions are rare, with the exception of cases like the Sénégal vs South Africa 2018 World Cup qualifier, which was replayed only after proof emerged that the referee was influenced by illegal betting.

While Niger politics and Niger security often take center stage in Niamey news today, sports fans in the region will remember the 2019 Champions League final between Wydad and Espérance de Tunis. In that instance, the Moroccan side refused to continue after a VAR failure. However, the key difference is that in 2019, the match never resumed, whereas in the 2025 CAN final, Sénégal returned to the pitch and finished the game.

Can Sénégal successfully challenge this decision?

Sénégal has already initiated an appeal process. In the hierarchy of sports justice, once a continental body like CAF issues a final decision, the case can be taken to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). This involves a formal filing, a 1,000 Swiss Franc fee, and a full review of the evidence.

The Sénégalese Football Federation (FSF) has reportedly requested a stay of execution. If granted, this would allow Sénégal to retain the title and trophy until the CAS delivers its final verdict, which could take several months. This case is becoming a landmark in sports law, touching on issues of governance, referee authority, and the ethics of legal proceedings in international sport.