Moroccan football federation files defense in Senegal can 2025 appeal case
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has formally submitted its defense to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAS) following the appeal lodged by the Senegalese Football Federation against the decision to award CAN 2025 to Morocco by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Legal proceedings move forward as TAS evaluates arguments
Morocco’s defense submission has been filed in strict compliance with the procedural deadlines and administrative requirements set by the TAS. This step marks the beginning of a formal review process where both parties’ submissions will be assessed.
Rumors suggesting that Morocco or the CAF had lost their right to defend their position due to a missed deadline have been dismissed. According to TAS regulations, submissions made on a non-working day—such as Sunday—are automatically deferred to the next business day. Consequently, the defense filed on Monday fully adheres to the applicable timelines.
Background of the dispute
The conflict stems from the CAF Appeals Committee’s decision to declare Senegal the losing team by forfeit and award Morocco a 3–0 victory after Senegalese players walked off the field during the final match. The Senegalese Football Federation subsequently challenged this ruling through an appeal to the TAS.
Next steps in the arbitration process
The TAS will now proceed with a thorough examination of the arguments presented by both the Moroccan Football Federation and the Senegalese Football Federation. While no timeline has been officially confirmed, the arbitration body is expected to issue a decision in due course based on the merits of the case.
