TAS Convenes Audience for Sénégal Maroc CAN 2025 Final Dispute

• The Tribunal Arbitral du Sport (TAS) announced a hearing for October 8, 2026, concerning the dispute over the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final.
• The case involves an appeal by the Fédération sénégalaise de football (FSF) against the Confédération africaine de football (CAF) and the Fédération Royale marocaine de football (FRMF).
• A three-member European arbitration panel, led by Professor Gérald Simon, will preside over the closed-door, in-person session in Lausanne.
• The proceedings will be conducted entirely in French, with FSF and FRMF delegates attending physically, while CAF will be represented by legal counsel.
• A final decision will not be issued on the day of the hearing, and the TAS has not yet specified a date for the verdict.

The resolution of this CAF FSF FRMF arbitration, presided over by Gérald Simon arbitrator, is poised to set a significant precedent for how future disagreements involving continental federations are handled.

The Tribunal Arbitral du Sport (TAS), based in Lausanne, officially announced on September 30, 2026, that it would convene a hearing to address the contentious dispute surrounding the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN). This high-profile arbitration stems from an appeal lodged by the Fédération sénégalaise de football (FSF) against both the Confédération africaine de football (CAF) and the Fédération Royale marocaine de football (FRMF). The proceedings are scheduled to commence at 9:30 AM on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at the TAS headquarters in Switzerland, with deliberations expected to conclude by the afternoon.

The upcoming TAS audience concerning the Sénégal Maroc CAN 2025 finale litige will be conducted as an in-person session, a format agreed upon after consultation with all involved parties. Notably, the hearing will take place behind closed doors, without any media presence, as no requests for a public audience were submitted. Representation for the parties will see delegates from the FSF and FRMF physically present in Lausanne, while the CAF will participate through its legal counsel. All exchanges during the arbitration will be conducted in French, a language choice mutually agreed upon by the disputing federations and the continental body.

A distinguished three-member European panel has been appointed to adjudicate this significant continental football dispute. Presiding over the arbitration college is Professor Gérald Simon from France, a seasoned legal expert. He will be supported by two co-arbitrators: Professor Luigi Fumagalli of Italy and Professor Dr. Ulrich Haas from Germany, forming a diverse and experienced tribunal. This composition underscores the international nature of sports arbitration at the CAS.

Following the conclusion of the oral arguments and presentations, the arbitration panel will withdraw to begin its deliberations. The Tribunal Arbitral du Sport has indicated that while the verdict will not be delivered on the same day as the hearing, it is currently unable to provide a specific date for the final decision. This procedural aspect highlights the thoroughness often involved in complex international sports arbitrations, where careful consideration is given before a ruling is issued. The adherence to an agreed language and the closed-door nature of the proceedings are standard protocols in high-stakes cases like this CAS Senegal Morocco dispute.

This arbitration at the Tribunal Arbitral du Sport carries substantial weight for the future of African football, offering crucial insights into the procedural conduct of high-stakes international football arbitrations. For sports law practitioners, the case illuminates the intricacies of panel selection and confidentiality protocols within the CAS framework, particularly when continental federations are involved. The dispute over the CAN 2025 final underscores ongoing legal challenges and governance complexities within the Confédération africaine de football's jurisdiction.

The resolution of this CAF FSF FRMF arbitration, presided over by Gérald Simon arbitrator, is poised to set a significant precedent for how future disagreements involving continental federations are handled. It reinforces the critical role of independent arbitral bodies like the TAS in ensuring fair and impartial resolution of disputes that could otherwise destabilize regional sports administration. The outcome will likely influence future procedural expectations and dispute resolution mechanisms across African football, making it a closely watched case for its broader implications beyond the immediate parties.

For sports law practitioners, this case provides insight into the procedural conduct of high-stakes international football arbitrations at the CAS, particularly regarding panel selection and confidentiality protocols. It also highlights the ongoing legal challenges within African football governance and sets a precedent for future disputes involving continental federations.

Source: Original reporting via SenePlus