Sport's highest court will decide the fate of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title this week. The Court of Arbitration for Sport hears arguments on Thursday over Senegal's disputed final victory against Morocco.
Senegal initially won the match 1-0 after extra time in Rabat. The game was delayed for 16 minutes when Senegal's players left the pitch to protest a late penalty award to Morocco, which was subsequently missed. The Confederation of African Football later overturned the result, awarding Morocco a 3-0 forfeit win and stripping Senegal of the title.
Senegal's football federation will argue the referee's authority is final. Their legal team contends that because the players returned, the match was completed, and the final whistle blown, the sporting result must stand. "For a completed match to be refereed again is unprecedented," said their lawyer, Juan de Dios Crespo-Perez. "It could change the world of football."
Morocco's case rests on tournament regulations stating a team that leaves the field without permission is considered to have lost. Fouzi Lekjaa, president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, said the rules were "obstructed and violated by our opponents." He pointed to subsequent FIFA rule changes as strengthening their position.
A three-judge panel in Lausanne will hear the case behind closed doors. The judges must determine if Senegal's temporary walk-off triggered an automatic forfeit or if the completed match should be upheld. A ruling is not expected on the day of the hearing.
Burnley's next Championship fixture is away at Watford on 10 October.
Background and full detail: GhanaSoccernet
