Critical Hearing for the CAN 2025 Final Dispute Set for October 8
The upcoming hearing regarding the contentious outcome of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) final is scheduled to take place on October 8 at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). This hearing follows a formal appeal initiated by the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) against the decision made by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeals Commission, which controversially awarded the match to Morocco with a score of 3-0. The decision was made in response to the events that unfolded during the final match held on January 18, 2026, at the Moulay Abdellah Complex in Rabat, Morocco.
The CAS announced this date on July 24, 2026, confirming that all parties involved, including the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), the FSF, and the CAF, have been notified. Notably, the procedure will adhere to the regular timeline set forth in the CAS regulations, as the involved parties did not reach an agreement to expedite the hearing process. Consequently, the hearing will be conducted privately, without public attendance.
To recap the events leading to this dispute, during the final match, Senegal's players left the pitch for 16 minutes as a protest against a controversial penalty awarded to Morocco in the dying minutes of the second half. Initially, Senegal had claimed victory with a last-minute goal from Pape Gueye, but following the CAF's ruling on March 17, 2026, the circumstances changed dramatically.
As the CAS prepares to hear the case, the arbitration panel will subsequently begin deliberations. However, it is important to note that the CAS has indicated it will not issue a ruling on the same day as the hearing, leaving all parties awaiting further developments. The complexities surrounding this case highlight the intricate nature of sports governance and the ongoing debates regarding fairness and integrity in competitive play.
As reported by sport.le360.ma.
