The CAN 2025 title saga has taken another dramatic turn, with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAS) setting a strict May 7, 2026 deadline for the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) to submit its defense in the ongoing appeal filed by Senegal. This pivotal moment intensifies the pressure on Morocco as the legal battle over Africa’s most prestigious football trophy continues to captivate the continent.

Morocco given until may 2026 to defend its can 2025 title

The dispute traces back to the chaotic CAN 2025 final held at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on January 18. With the match tied 0-0 at full-time, a highly controversial penalty awarded to Morocco prompted the Senegalese players to walk off the pitch for nearly fifteen minutes. Though they returned and later won in extra time via a goal from Pape Gueye, the CAF Appeal Jury overturned the result on March 17, declaring Senegal forfeit and awarding Morocco a 3-0 technical victory.

Senegal swiftly challenged this decision in the TAS on March 25, seeking to reclaim the continental crown. The appeal process is now advancing through standard legal timelines after Senegal’s request for an expedited procedure was firmly declined by Morocco. Following the FRMF’s defense submission by the May 7 deadline, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and Senegal will have the opportunity to file counter-arguments. An in-person hearing at the TAS headquarters in Lausanne is increasingly likely, where key witnesses, including match officials and players, may be called to testify.

Given the gravity of the dispute, both federations are expected to enlist top-tier international sports law firms, elevating the case into a high-stakes legal and diplomatic confrontation. While the ultimate verdict remains uncertain, a typical TAS case resolution spans between six to twelve months. As such, the identity of the true 2025 African champion may remain unresolved until late 2026. Regardless of the outcome, the TAS ruling will be final and binding, leaving no room for further appeal. A reversal of the CAF’s decision by the TAS could send shockwaves through African football governance.