Upcoming Arbitration Session on Senegal's CAN 2025 Title Dispute

The latest chapter in the ongoing dispute between Senegal and Morocco is set to unfold on October 8, as the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) will finally address the appeal lodged by the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) against the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF). This appeal concerns the controversial decision to strip the Lions of Teranga of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) title, which they claimed following a chaotic final on January 18.

This arbitration session, scheduled to take place behind closed doors in Lausanne, Switzerland, will proceed after consultations with the involved parties, who have opted against a public hearing. According to a statement from CAS, the arbitral panel will begin its deliberations following the hearing. However, CAS has not indicated when a final decision will be made, emphasizing that it will not be announced on the same day as the hearing.

On March 17, two months after Senegal's victory, the CAF appeals jury decided to revoke their title in favor of Morocco, the tournament's unfortunate runner-up and host nation. This decision favored the FRMF, which argued that the temporary departure of Senegalese players from the field during the final constituted a forfeit.

The chaotic match was marred by violence among supporters, and the Lions of Teranga had initially left the pitch in protest against a penalty awarded to Brahim Diaz, shortly after a goal by Senegal was disallowed. Led by Sadio Mané and others, they returned to the field and ultimately triumphed in extra time with a goal from Pape Gueye.

The unexpected ruling from the CAF, issued two months after the final, sent shockwaves throughout the football community and beyond. It marked the first instance in history where a confederation revoked a title that had already been won on the field. This surprising reversal was even more notable given that the CAF jury had initially dismissed Morocco's complaint, concluding that a forfeit would only apply if the Senegalese team had permanently left the pitch.

As reported by fr.news.yahoo.com.