Morocco's Strong Legal Position in CAN 2025 Dispute
In a recent analysis by Romain Bizzini, a lawyer with expertise in sports law, Morocco is poised with a significant legal advantage in its ongoing dispute against Senegal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAS). According to Bizzini, the chances of the TAS confirming the decision made by the Confederation of African Football (CAF)—which declared Morocco the winner of the CAN 2025 final by default—are estimated to be about 75%. This assertion helps to underscore Morocco's solid standing in this high-stakes legal battle.
The context of this legal dispute stems from an incident during the final match where Senegal was deemed to have violated match regulations. Specifically, the CAF's decision was grounded in Articles 82 and 84 of the Africa Cup of Nations regulations, which clearly stipulate that any team that refuses to play or leaves the field without the referee's permission is automatically declared the loser of the match with a score of 3-0.
Senegal's Challenge: Weak Arguments Against Morocco
While Senegal may attempt to argue that the match could have continued or dispute the abandonment since three players remained on the field, Bizzini considers this line of reasoning to be weak. He points out that the rules set forth by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) require at least seven players to be present on the field for a match to proceed. The CAF's Appeals Committee has already ruled that Senegal violated these regulations during the final.
Additionally, Bizzini emphasizes that the TAS's ruling will primarily hinge on the application of the regulations rather than the circumstances surrounding the match or its sporting outcome. He dismisses the possibility of a rematch being ordered, as such sanctions are not outlined within CAF's statutes. Should the TAS uphold the CAF's decision, Senegal would be obligated to return the trophy and the medals awarded to its players, thereby solidifying Morocco's championship status until the TAS delivers its final verdict.
As reported by h24info.ma.
