Morocco's Title Defense in CAN 2025 Faces Legal Scrutiny
On November 4, 2026, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) began proceedings concerning the contentious final of the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2025, where Morocco faced Senegal. The match was marred by controversy as Senegal's team exited the field mid-game, resulting in the suspension of play. This incident prompted the Senegalese Football Federation to contest the outcome of the match, which was awarded to Morocco by a 3-0 decision on the basis of forfeit.
Spanish publication Sport reached out to Romain Bizzini, a lawyer experienced in CAS matters, who provided insight into the ongoing legal battle. Bizzini emphasized that Senegal's chances of overturning the decision are slim, primarily due to Articles 82 to 84 of the tournament regulations. These articles state that if a team leaves the field without the referee's consent, it is deemed to have forfeited the match, thus solidifying Morocco's victory.
Bizzini's analysis aligns with the reasoning behind the initial ruling that awarded Morocco the title, reinforcing the notion that the CAS's decisions are rooted deeply in legal statutes. He remains confident that the CAS will uphold the existing ruling, as the regulations clearly favor the situation surrounding the match cancellation. The legal expert expressed that Senegal's appeal is unlikely to succeed due to the solid foundation of the regulations governing the competition.
Implications of the Legal Ruling
In his commentary, Bizzini highlighted that Senegal could argue the definition of a 'team' since three players remained on the field at the time of the incident. However, he noted that the International Football Association Board (IFAB) Laws of the Game stipulate that a team must have at least seven players present to continue the match. Furthermore, Bizzini dismissed the possibility of the match being replayed, as CAF regulations do not provide for such an option. If the CAS rules in favor of Morocco, it would necessitate that Senegal return any awards, trophies, and medals associated with the tournament.
As the deliberations at CAS continue, the football world watches closely, awaiting the final verdict, which is expected to arrive by the end of November. The outcome will not only determine the fate of the Moroccan national team but also set a significant precedent in African football governance.
As reported by sport.le360.ma.
