Senegal to pursue legal challenge against Morocco over CAN 2025 decision

The dispute between Senegal and Morocco over the CAN 2025 decision is entering a new judicial phase, extending beyond the sports arena. The Confederation of African Football CAF President, Patrice Motsepe, is actively working to de-escalate tensions between the parties. A key development is the preparation of an appeal before the Court of Arbitration for Sport CAS by the Senegalese Football Federation FSF. The controversy intensified in March when CAF's appeals jury awarded Morocco an administrative victory, overturning Senegal's on-field win in the final. This decision, which cited a temporary walk-off by Senegalese players as a forfeiture, was strongly contested by Dakar. The FSF deemed the ruling "crude, absurd, and irrational," asserting its continued status as African champion and requesting an expedited CAS procedure for a decision before the 2026 World Cup. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation FRMF maintains it has acted in accordance with regulations and is cooperating with international bodies. CAF President Motsepe has traveled to Dakar, meeting with Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, and Rabat to encourage dialogue. He has pledged to ensure African football is free from issues affecting its fairness and emphasized the need to evolve CAN regulations following the final's events. Motsepe also dismissed corruption allegations from Senegal, stressing the importance of preserving the integrity and reputation of CAF's 54 member associations. Separately, an app