Senegal Rejects AFCON 2025 Forfeit, Escalates Case to CAS

Senegal has formally rejected the decision by the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) Appeal Board to award the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final to Morocco, confirming it will take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

In a statement issued on March 17, the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF) described CAF’s ruling in case DC23316 as “unfair, unprecedented, and unacceptable.” The ruling followed a forfeiture decision against Senegal in the disputed final, officially granting Morocco a 3–0 victory.

CAF’s Appeal Board upheld a protest from the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF), citing Articles 82 and 84 of the tournament regulations, which address misconduct and match forfeiture. The board also overturned a previous CAF Disciplinary Board decision, noting that Morocco’s “right to be heard had not been respected during the initial proceedings,” a procedural flaw that allowed the case to be fully reassessed against Senegal.

The FSF has rejected the verdict, criticizing both the process and the outcome. Senegalese authorities argue that CAF’s conclusion undermines the integrity of African football and raises serious concerns about governance, fairness, and consistency in disciplinary procedures. According to the federation, the ruling affects more than a single match; it challenges the credibility of competitive football on the continent.

Senegal confirmed it will bring the matter to CAS in Lausanne “as soon as possible,” emphasizing its commitment to defending what it describes as the “rights and interests of Senegalese football.” If accepted, the case would move from CAF’s internal jurisdiction to the global arbitration stage, where previous rulings have had major implications for football competitions and disciplinary interpretations.

The controversy also raises broader questions about transparency and regulatory enforcement within African football. The 2025 final, originally expected to be remembered for the match itself, is now defined as much by legal disputes as by on-field play. For Senegal, the focus is on restoring credibility and protecting competitive integrity. For CAF and Morocco, the ruling remains in place for the moment. The final resolution of AFCON 2025 may ultimately be decided not on the pitch, but in the courtroom.