{
  "id": 13005344,
  "title": "Afcon final to play out in court – when will Morocco or Senegal be crowned champions?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/afcon-final-to-play-out-in-court-when-will-morocco-or-senegal-be",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-09T02:30:58.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Adom Online",
    "slug": "adom-online",
    "url": "https://www.adomonline.com/afcon-final-to-play-out-in-court-when-will-morocco-or-senegal-be-crowned-champions/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) final in Rabat has become a legal battle after Senegal's victory was overturned. The match, watched by 66,000 fans, ended in controversy with Senegal's Ismaila Sarr believed to have scored a winning goal, only for Senegal's referee to blow for a Moroccan free-kick. A VAR review later awarded Morocco a penalty, leading to tensions on the pitch. In the 124th minute, Morocco missed a penalty, and Pape Gueye secured Senegal's 1-0 win. However, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FMRF) argued that Senegal had abandoned the match, breaching tournament regulations and winning by default. Senegal's federation (FSF) contested this, leading to an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). CAS, an independent legal body based in Lausanne, Switzerland, will review the case and deliver its verdict within four months, though the process could be quicker. The result of the appeal could lead to changes in the rules of Afcon.",
  "summary": "Everyone knows a football match should take 90 minutes but, in its own way, the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) has been playing out for nearly nine months. Now, finally, one team or the other – either Morocco or Senegal – willl grab the winner. Only that moment of glory will […]",
  "key_points": [
    "2025 Afcon final in Rabat becomes legal battle.",
    "Senegal's win overturned, Morocco awarded penalty.",
    "CAS to review case, verdict in four months."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The Afcon final's outcome being taken to the Court of Arbitration for Sport means the tournament's conclusion will be decided by an independent legal body, potentially setting a new precedent for future competitions.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}