Former Senegal international, Boukary Dramé, has admitted that Morocco could be awarded the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title through a legal ruling, urging Senegal to accept the final decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), even if it goes against the country.
The former Paris Saint-Germain defender made the remarks during an interview with African football outlet Africa Foot, amid the ongoing legal dispute over the controversial final between Senegal and Morocco.
“Even if we do not accept it, it is possible the title will go to Morocco, which is not what I hope for,” Dramé said.
He stressed that Senegal must respect the outcome of the legal process, regardless of its implications for the country’s claim to the continental trophy.
“And if the ruling comes out considering them African champions before CAF and everyone, then we have to accept it,” he added.
The comments followed a hearing held by CAS in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Thursday, October 8, as the sports tribunal considered Senegal’s appeal against a decision by the Confederation of African Football.
Senegal had initially won the final 1-0 after extra time.
However, CAF’s Appeals Committee subsequently overturned the result, awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory and recognising the North African country as champions.
Senegal has challenged the decision before CAS, seeking to have CAF’s ruling overturned and the original result reinstated.
Dramé concerned about African football’s reputation
Beyond the legal battle, Dramé expressed concern that the controversy could undermine the reputation of African football internationally.
The former defender, who represented Senegal between 2005 and 2016, said the dispute exposed organisational shortcomings that football authorities across the continent needed to address.
“It is regrettable that we are giving the image of a continent that is not serious and still has a long way to go to reach the level of the Europeans,” he said.
Despite his criticism, Dramé maintained that African football had the potential to improve and urged the relevant authorities to learn from the incident.
“I hope this phase will be a reason for us to develop, and that such things will not be repeated in the future,” he added.
Dramé also described the dispute as an exceptional situation, noting that he had never encountered a similar incident during his playing career.
He referred to previous occasions when teams had reportedly walked off the pitch during matches without facing comparable consequences.
However, the former noted that the circumstances surrounding the AFCON 2025 final were different because the match eventually resumed and was completed.
“I have never experienced a situation like this before,” he said, noting that previous incidents involving teams leaving the field had been brought up following the controversy.
The former Senegal international said the unusual nature of the case made the ongoing proceedings particularly significant for African football.
Meanwhile, Morocco’s representatives reportedly left the CAS premises after Thursday’s hearing without addressing the media.
Abdoulaye Sidou Sow, General Secretary of the Senegalese Football Federation, expressed confidence in the arguments presented by his country’s legal team.
According to GOAL, Sow maintained that Senegal had put forward a strong defence during the proceedings.
CAS is expected to announce its decision in the coming days, although the tribunal has not confirmed an official date.
The ruling will determine whether CAF’s decision to award Morocco a 3-0 victory stands or Senegal succeeds in its appeal to overturn the verdict.
