Closed Session: Latest Updates on the African Cup of Nations Final Dispute
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has revealed today details regarding a closed session hearing scheduled for the appeal lodged by the Senegalese Football Federation against the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Moroccan Football Federation. This hearing is part of the ongoing controversy surrounding the 2025 African Cup of Nations final, which is set to take place on October 8, 2026.
In a dramatic turn of events, Senegal initially triumphed over the host nation Morocco in the final match; however, they were subsequently stripped of the title following a 14-minute walk-off by their players in protest during the closing moments of the game. This unexpected incident led to Morocco being awarded the championship, a decision that Senegal has challenged.
According to an official statement issued by CAS, the session will occur at the court's headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, and will be conducted without media presence after discussions with involved parties who did not request a public hearing. The session is set to commence at 9:30 AM and is anticipated to conclude in the afternoon, after which the arbitration panel will begin its deliberations.
CAS indicated that, at this stage, it cannot provide an estimated timeline for the announcement of the final ruling, emphasizing that a decision will not be made on the same day as the hearing.
Representatives from both the Senegalese and Moroccan football federations, along with legal advisors for CAF, will be present in Lausanne to participate in this crucial session. The outcome of this hearing will have significant implications not only for the teams involved but also for the integrity of the tournament.
As reported by aljazeera.net.
