The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has scheduled October 8, 2026, to hear Senegal’s appeal against the decision that revoked its 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title and granted the championship to Morocco. This hearing, set behind closed doors at CAS headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, has not yet determined a date for the final verdict.
The conflict originates from the tense AFCON final held in Rabat, Morocco, where Senegal achieved a 1-0 victory over the host country after extra time. The win, seemingly marking Senegal’s second continental title, was clouded by controversy when Senegal’s players temporarily left the field in protest over a disputed penalty awarded to Morocco.
Despite later returning to complete the game, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeal Board ruled in March 2026 that Senegal had violated competition rules by exiting the field without authorization. Consequently, CAF declared the match forfeited, reassigned the victory to Morocco with a 3-0 scoreline, and recognized Morocco as the official champions.
The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) dismissed the ruling as unfair and contradictory to football regulations, appealing to CAS by arguing that the sanctions were excessive and that the on-field result should remain valid.
CAS has confirmed that representatives from the FSF, CAF, and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) will present their cases to a panel of arbitrators during the October session. After reviewing oral arguments and evidence, the panel will deliberate and issue a written decision at a later date.
The appeal’s outcome could significantly impact African football, determining whether Morocco retains the 2025 AFCON title or if Senegal’s field victory is upheld. This case is anticipated to be a landmark legal dispute in the Africa Cup of Nations’ history, capturing the attention of football fans across the continent eagerly awaiting the final decision.
