The wait has been considerable. Just before the weekend, after a three-week delay, the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) finally obtained the reasoned decision from the CAF Appeal Board, as reported this Monday. This crucial document paves the way for the FSF to formally lodge an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAS), enabling them to dispute the CAF’s controversial ruling that declared Morocco the victor of the CAN 2025 on a technicality.
The official communiqué, shared with all involved parties, reiterates the Appeal Board’s verdict: a 3-0 victory awarded to Morocco. Notably, the document explicitly states that directives regarding prize money, medals, or the coveted trophy fall outside the Appeal Board’s jurisdiction. Despite this definitive ruling, the CAF Executive Committee has yet to issue an official declaration confirming the CAN 2025 winner, perpetuating uncertainty surrounding the tournament’s outcome. The Confederation’s President has merely indicated that the ultimate decision rests with TAS.
No official timeline for TAS decision
The resolution of the contentious CAN 2025 final is rapidly approaching, over two months after the match concluded amid widespread incidents involving both supporters and the Senegalese team’s on-field abandonment. While TAS has not yet provided a definitive schedule for its proceedings, the tribunal’s deliberations are expected to bring this protracted saga to a close, with no further avenues for appeal available to either team.
“TAS is exceptionally well-equipped to resolve such disputes, leveraging the expertise of specialized and independent arbitrators,” affirmed Me Matthieu Reeb, the Director General of TAS. He added, “We recognize the strong desire among teams and fans for a swift final decision, and we are committed to ensuring the arbitration process proceeds as quickly as possible, while upholding the right of all parties to a fair hearing.”
