Rabat – Morocco’s chances of retaining the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title have returned to the international spotlight, with Uruguayan radio station El Espectador revisiting a French sports lawyer’s prediction that the Atlas Lions have a 75% chance of winning their case before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

During a sports segment, the broadcaster discussed an analysis by Romain Bizzini, a lawyer experienced in CAS proceedings, who believes a strict interpretation of CAF regulations favors Morocco over Senegal.

Bizzini’s assessment, initially reported earlier this year and recently circulated again by Spanish media, argues that Senegal faces significant legal obstacles in its attempt to overturn CAF’s decision.

The Uruguayan presenter questioned whether the January final should have resumed after Senegal’s players temporarily left the pitch in protest against a late penalty awarded to Morocco.

Although the players eventually returned and the referee allowed play to continue, the broadcaster suggested that CAS could still find sufficient legal grounds to uphold Morocco’s claim.

Why the lawyer believes Morocco has the advantage

Bizzini’s assessment centers on Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON regulations, which address situations where a team refuses to play or leaves the pitch without the referee’s authorization.

Under these provisions, such conduct can result in a 3-0 defeat by forfeiture.

The lawyer believes that applying these rules strictly could lead CAS to uphold CAF’s March 17 decision, which declared Senegal to have forfeited the final and awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory.

However, he also acknowledged potential arguments in Senegal’s favor, particularly that the match was completed after the referee permitted the players to return.

The dispute stems from the January 18 final in Rabat, where Senegal’s players walked off following a stoppage-time penalty decision. Brahim Diaz subsequently missed the spot kick, and Pape Gueye scored in extra time to secure Senegal a 1-0 victory on the pitch.

CAF’s Appeal Board later overturned that result, prompting Senegal to challenge the ruling before CAS.

Bizzini’s 75% estimate remains his personal legal assessment, rather than an official prediction from the arbitration tribunal.

CAS heard arguments from the Senegalese and Moroccan football federations, alongside CAF, in Lausanne on October 8.

The tribunal is expected to deliver its ruling, including its legal reasoning, by the end of November 2026.