Lausanne Hearing to Settle Bitter Dispute

The Court of Arbitration for Sport has confirmed a hearing date to finally resolve who lifted the 2025 AFCON title. Proceedings will take place October 8 in Lausanne, pitting the Senegalese Football Federation against both CAF and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation.

At stake is a controversy that has lingered since January's chaotic final in Rabat. Senegal won 1-0 on the pitch through Pape Gueye's extra-time strike, but the occasion descended into chaos after several players walked off in protest over a disputed penalty call. CAF's Appeals Board later overturned that result entirely, awarding Morocco a 3-0 administrative win and stripping Senegal of the trophy.

Senegal's federation has rejected that decision from the outset, calling it unjust and lacking legal foundation. Their appeal, registered with CAS back in March, seeks to have Morocco's win set aside completely. Instead, they want CAS to formally declare Senegal the rightful 2025 champions.

Notably, neither side pushed for an accelerated timeline. That means the case will follow CAS's standard procedural rules rather than a fast-tracked process. Given this approach, patience will be required from both camps before any resolution arrives.

No Quick Resolution Expected

The October hearing itself will take place behind closed doors, away from public scrutiny. Legal representatives from all three parties are expected to present arguments, evidence, and witness testimony before the arbitration panel. Still, CAS has been clear that no verdict will emerge on the day itself.

Once arguments conclude, the panel will retire for private deliberations before issuing a written ruling. No timeline has been given for that final decision, meaning the identity of Africa's 2025 champion stays unresolved for now. Whichever way it goes, the outcome could reshape the tournament's official history.