WorldStage– Following the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) issuance of a provisional “freeze” on the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) controversial decision to strip Senegal of the 2025 AFCON title and award it to Morocco, African football has been plunged into fresh uncertainty.
In an interim decision issued this week, CAS accepted Senegal’s appeal against the Confederation of African Football Appeals Board and ordered a “freeze” on the implementation of its verdict.
The move effectively places the 2025 AFCON title in legal limbo pending a full hearing.
As of March 24, 2026, the 2025 AFCON has no officially recognized winner. The physical trophy remains in Senegal, as the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has refused to hand it over pending the final CAS judgment.
While CAF had updated its official records on March 18 to list Morocco as champions, the CAS freeze halts any further official presentation or recognition of this change.
The dispute stems from a chaotic final played in January 2026, where Senegal defeated hosts Morocco 1–0 after extra time.
The match took a dramatic turn late on when a contentious penalty was awarded to Morocco.
Although the spot kick was missed, Senegal’s players briefly walked off the pitch in protest, prompting confusion before play eventually resumed and the match was concluded.
Weeks later, Morocco’s federation challenged the outcome, citing provisions within AFCON regulations relating to match forfeiture.
On March 17, CAF’s Appeals Board ruled in Morocco’s favour, declaring that Senegal’s walk-off constituted a breach severe enough to forfeit the match.
The result was overturned to a 3–0 victory for Morocco, with Senegal stripped of the title.
Senegal swiftly condemned the decision as unjust and escalated the matter to CAS, arguing that the sanction was disproportionate and undermined the integrity of the on-field result.
CAS has now sided, at least temporarily, with Senegal’s request for urgent intervention. By granting provisional measures, the tribunal signalled that enforcing CAF’s ruling before a full hearing could cause irreparable harm, particularly in a case involving the revocation of a major continental title.
The immediate consequence is that AFCON 2025 currently has no officially recognised champion. The trophy remains unassigned while legal proceedings continue.
A final ruling from CAS is expected in the coming months, following a full review of submissions from both parties.
Senegal will seek reinstatement of their 1–0 victory, while Morocco is expected to maintain that the temporary walk-off amounted to a regulatory forfeiture.
CAF, for its part, has indicated it will abide by the tribunal’s eventual decision.
Until then, one of African football most dramatic and contentious title sagas remains unresolved, with the continent awaiting a definitive answer on who, ultimately, are the rightful champions.
A final, binding ruling from CAS is expected in the coming months. Legal experts suggest that CAS may focus on whether the referee’s decision to continue and finish the match overrides the later administrative forfeiture ruling.
