Prolonged Wait for the CAS Decision on AFCON Final Dispute
The ongoing dispute regarding the awarding of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy to Morocco, despite Senegal's victory on the field during the final held on January 18, has now been escalated to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland. The decision from this authoritative body will be conclusive, but stakeholders should brace themselves for an extended waiting period. Experts indicate that the resolution process could take as long as a year to finalize.
Following a two-month deliberation period, the disciplinary jury of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) issued its ruling in response to a complaint filed by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF). The Moroccan body, led by Fouzi Lekjaâ, contested the conduct of the AFCON final, alleging misconduct by the Senegalese team, which they claimed constituted a forfeit.
The stakes are undeniably high for the CAS, as its ruling could significantly impact the credibility of CAF and its ability to adjudicate legal matters effectively. Romain Bizzini, a legal expert in sports law, noted in an interview with Onze Mondial that the investigation phase typically spans between 6 to 9 months, followed by an additional 4 months for the final ruling. Thus, the overall process could extend to nearly a year.
No Ruling Expected Before Summer
There is a possibility, as noted by a sports law attorney who has represented clients before the CAS, that an expedited procedure may be pursued, contingent upon mutual agreement from both parties (Senegal and Morocco). This could potentially shorten the timeline by an additional 3 to 6 months, although it is still unlikely that a verdict will be reached before the summer.
The CAS will be meticulous in gathering all documentation and legal arguments related to this contentious case. Meetings and hearings are expected, with key testimonies likely to come from players, including Sadio Mané, who had previously urged his teammates to return to the field, as well as the referee of the match, Jean-Jacques Ndala. Moreover, Morocco is anticipated to present additional evidence to support its initial claim made to the CAF.
As reported by lequotidien.com.tn.
