The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has escalated the controversy surrounding the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) final by filing an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne. This follows the African Football Confederation’s (CAF) controversial decision to award the title to Morocco on a technicality, despite Senegal’s 1-0 victory on the pitch.

The legal battle entered a new phase when the CAS set May 7 as the deadline for the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) to submit its defense. This timeline aligns with the standard procedure for appeals, where the respondent has 20 days to respond after the initial filing.

The FSF’s appeal targets both the CAF and the FRMF, challenging a decision that the Senegalese federation deemed unjust. The CAS has confirmed receipt of the appeal and is proceeding with the established legal framework, which includes written submissions, witness testimonies, and eventual deliberations by a three-member arbitration panel.

Key developments in the legal process

• Appeal timeline: The FSF filed its appeal on March 25, with the FRMF now required to submit its defense by May 7.
• Arbitration panel: A three-arbitrator panel will be formed—one nominated by Senegal, one by the defense (CAF and Morocco), and a neutral president appointed by the CAS.
• Suspension request: The FSF’s request for a temporary suspension has delayed the scheduling of hearings, though the written phase of the process is underway.
• Core dispute: The controversy stems from a March 17 CAF appeal jury decision that overturned Senegal’s on-field victory, citing match disruptions after a controversial penalty call.

The case will progress through written submissions before oral testimonies and deliberations. While the CAS aims for efficiency, the timeline for a final ruling remains uncertain, with potential delays extending the process over several months.

Senegal’s on-field triumph, marked by a goal from Pape Gueye, now hinges on the CAS’s ruling, leaving the tournament’s outcome in legal limbo.