Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) president Fouzi Lekjaa has expressed confidence ahead of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) decision on the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, asserting that Morocco’s case rests on solid evidence and complies with regulations.
According to Lekjaa, Morocco “has convincing and documented arguments” concerning the incidents that occurred during the 2025 AFCON final, played on January 18 at the Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
He said the case presented by Morocco in the dispute related to this final is “complete and legally sound.”
In remarks reported by the Moroccan media outlet Al3omk and picked up by several local and international media outlets, the FRMF president said Morocco “has convincing and documented arguments.”
“All elements related to the incident have been precisely recorded, whether through official reports or video recordings, in full compliance with the applicable laws.”
He added: “The withdrawal of the Senegalese team is officially attested, based on the match referee’s report, as well as recordings documenting the moment of the withdrawal and the circumstances surrounding it.”
He explained that the confirmation of Senegal’s withdrawal from the AFCON final “is governed by the requirements of Article 84 of the CAF Disciplinary Code, which is the legal text that CAF adopted to confirm Morocco’s victory in the 2025 AFCON final after the Senegalese team left the pitch, based on the match not being completed.”
Lekjaa also clarified that Morocco agreed to continue the match despite the Senegalese players’ departure, as refusing to resume play would have exposed the country to a penalty.
According to him, these elements significantly strengthen the Kingdom’s position before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), based in Lausanne.
He cited the referee’s official report and video footage documenting the abandonment and the circumstances surrounding the match’s suspension.
According to the FRMF president, this evidence constitutes a solid legal basis for defending the initial decision.
He points out that this situation falls under Article 84 of the Confederation of African Football’s disciplinary code, concerning match abandonment, adding that CAF had validated Morocco’s 3-0 victory after the Senegalese players left the pitch.
The FRMF president emphasizes that the Moroccan team agreed to resume the match despite the opposing team’s abandonment to comply with the applicable rules.
Refusing to play would have exposed Morocco to sanctions for abandonment, in accordance with the regulations.
The Senegalese Football Federation has appealed to CAS to challenge the CAF’s decision, issued on 17 March.
CAF president Patrice Motsepe stated last Sunday that he would “respect” the CAS decision.
“I will respect and implement the CAS decision. My personal opinion on this matter is irrelevant,” he told a press conference in Cairo, following a meeting of the institution’s executive committee.
AK/te/fss/jn/APA