Former arbitrator at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, Raymond Hack, has suggested that Senegal national team could still overturn the decision to award the AFCON 2025 Title to Morocco national team.
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Hack’s comments come after the CAF Appeal Board stripped Senegal of the title following the dramatic final, a ruling that has since been taken to CAS for further review.
According to the former SAFA CEO, the key issue lies in the authority of the referee during the match.
“The referee’s decision is final,” Hack said.
He explained that once the referee brings the game to an end, the result on the field typically stands, regardless of incidents that may have occurred earlier.
“When the referee blows the whistle, that’s the end of the game,” he added.
Hack noted that this principle could work in Senegal’s favour, especially if the case focuses on events that happened before the official conclusion of the match.
However, he also pointed out that the situation could have been different if Morocco had immediately protested when Senegal reportedly walked off the pitch.
“If Morocco had protested at that moment, it could have changed things,” he said.
The legal expert emphasized that CAS will examine the case based on the rules and procedures governing match decisions and disciplinary actions.
With the appeal now underway, Hack believes there is still a realistic possibility that the outcome could be reversed.
The final decision from CAS is now eagerly awaited, as it could have major implications for African football governance and the credibility of tournament rulings.
