By: Precious Miracle Kargbo Snr
The Court of Arbitration for Sport has set October 8, 2026, for the hearing of Senegal’s appeal to overturn CAF’s decision that awarded the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title to Morocco.
The dispute stems from the AFCON 2025 final played in Rabat on January 18, 2026.
With the score 0-0 in stoppage time, the referee awarded Morocco a penalty after a VAR review. Senegal’s players walked off in protest and were off the pitch for about 14 minutes.
Senegal returned, the penalty was missed, and Senegal went on to win 1-0 in extra time through Pape Gueye.
On March 17, 2026, CAF’s Appeal Board ruled that Senegal had forfeited the final under Articles 82 and 84, overturned the on-field result, and awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory and the continental title.
Senegal lodged an appeal with CAS on March 25, 2026, seeking to set aside CAF’s decision and be declared 2025 AFCON champions.
CAS confirmed Friday that the hearing will take place behind closed doors at its headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland. Both the Senegalese Football Federation, CAF, and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation are parties to the case.
CAS clarified that no ruling will be delivered on the day of the hearing. “After the hearing, the Panel will start its deliberations. At this stage, CAS cannot state when a final decision will be rendered but it will not be on the day of the hearing”.
CAS judges typically take several months to announce a decision.
Senegal calls CAF’s ruling a “travesty” with “no legal basis” and says the decision violated sporting law that the referee’s decision on the field is final.
Morocco’s case is expected to center on the argument that Senegal abandoned the match and must forfeit.
The legal battle has cast a shadow over the tournament’s conclusion, with Senegal still considering themselves champions.