CAS: 2025 AFCON Morocco Senegal Decision Expected November

• The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is expected to issue a full explanation for the 2025 AFCON host decision by the end of November.
• A three-man panel heard arguments from the Moroccan and Senegalese football federations, and CAF, during a secret five-hour hearing on October 8.
• Senegal's football federation is contesting CAF's March decision to award the 2025 AFCON hosting rights to Morocco.
• The dispute originated from an on-field incident on January 18 where Senegalese players protested a penalty call against Morocco.
• Both Morocco and Senegal are actively participating in their qualifying campaigns for the 2027 AFCON tournament.

The forthcoming CAS Award is therefore not just about the 2025 hosting rights but also carries weight for the broader competitive landscape and regulatory interpretations within African football.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has announced that a comprehensive explanation regarding the host nation for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), contested between Senegal and Morocco, will be issued by the end of November. This decision follows a five-hour confidential hearing held on October 8 in Lausanne, Switzerland, where a three-member panel heard arguments from legal representatives of the Moroccan and Senegalese football federations, alongside the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Initially, a CAS spokesperson suggested a ruling could be delivered within days of the hearing.

However, the tribunal later clarified its intention to release a full CAS Award, which will include the complete legal rationale behind its determination. The arbitration panel has commenced and is continuing its deliberations, a process anticipated to span several weeks. A statement from CAS indicated that the final award is expected at the end of November, though it also specified "end of November 2026" in the same communication regarding the award's timeline.

The current dispute stems from Senegal's appeal against a March decision by CAF to designate Morocco as the host for the championships. CAF's initial move to award the hosting rights to Morocco was prompted by an appeal from the Moroccan football federation. Morocco's complaint alleged that competition regulations were violated during the final match on January 18, when Senegalese players left the field in protest.

This protest was triggered by a referee's decision to award a penalty to Morocco. The incident occurred at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat, leading to a 15-minute delay before play resumed. Morocco's Brahim Diaz subsequently missed the awarded spot-kick, which could have secured a second title for his nation in the continent's premier national team competition. Ultimately, Pape Gueye scored in extra-time, clinching Senegal's second championship in three tournaments.

Both the Moroccan and Senegalese national teams have demonstrated significant prowess on the international stage, with both participating in the 2026 World Cup held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Morocco advanced to the quarter-finals of that tournament, where they were defeated by France, while Senegal was eliminated in the last 32.

Currently, both nations are engaged in their qualifying campaigns for the 2027 AFCON, which will feature 24 teams competing between June 19 and July 17, 2027, in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Morocco holds the top position in Group A, having secured victories in their initial two matches. Senegal, under the guidance of new head coach Patrick Vieira, drew their first game against Mozambique and subsequently defeated Ethiopia 1-0, placing them jointly at the top of Group J alongside Mozambique. The forthcoming CAS Award is therefore not just about the 2025 hosting rights but also carries weight for the broader competitive landscape and regulatory interpretations within African football.

Sports lawyers advising football federations or involved in sports arbitration should closely monitor the detailed legal grounds of the forthcoming CAS Award. This ruling could establish significant precedents regarding the interpretation of CAF competition rules and the handling of on-field disputes, impacting future contractual agreements and arbitration strategies.

Source: Original reporting based on AllAfrica coverage.