CAS opens hearing into Senegal's appeal over AFCON title loss
The Court of Arbitration for Sport has opened its hearing into the Senegal AFCON title appeal, the legal battle over who really won the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The proceedings began on Thursday behind closed doors at the tribunal’s headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.
The first day of the hearing lasted more than five hours. CAS general manager Matthieu Reeb told reporters the case could run for “days or even weeks”, underlining how complex the dispute has become nearly ten months after the controversial final.
What the Senegal AFCON title appeal will decide
Senegal are challenging the Confederation of African Football’s decision to strip them of the title and award it to Morocco. The Senegalese Football Federation registered its appeal with CAS on March 25, 2026, and is asking the tribunal to set aside CAF’s ruling and declare Senegal the winners of AFCON 2025.
Senegal’s federation president Abdoulaye Sow said he hoped “sports law” would be upheld “for the dignity and honour of Africa.” The Moroccan delegation did not speak to reporters. CAS has confirmed that no decision will be announced on the day the hearing concludes.
How the final unravelled
The controversy dates back to the final in Rabat on January 18, 2026. With the match goalless late in normal time, Morocco were awarded a penalty, prompting many Senegal players to walk off the pitch in protest. The game was held up for almost 20 minutes before the Senegalese players returned.
Brahim Diaz missed the spot kick once play resumed, and Senegal went on to win 1-0 through Pape Gueye’s extra-time goal. The players celebrated what they believed was a triumphant title win in the host nation’s stadium.
CAF’s verdict and the fallout
In March, CAF’s appeals board overturned the on-field result. It ruled that Senegal had broken the regulations by leaving the field of play without the referee’s authorisation, declared the team to have forfeited the final, and recorded a 3-0 victory for Morocco, handing the Atlas Lions the title.
Senegal rejected the decision outright, calling it an injustice, and took the fight to Lausanne. The case is now the most significant title dispute in AFCON history, with the eventual ruling set to shape how walk-offs and forfeitures are handled in African football.
When did the CAS hearing open?
The hearing opened on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at CAS headquarters in Lausanne. The first day ran for more than five hours behind closed doors.
Why did Senegal lose the AFCON title?
CAF ruled Senegal forfeited the final after their players walked off in protest at a late penalty awarded to Morocco, and awarded Morocco a 3-0 win.
What does Senegal want from CAS?
The Senegalese federation wants CAF’s decision annulled and Senegal declared the winners of AFCON 2025.
When will CAS decide?
CAS says no ruling will come on the day of the hearing, and it cannot say yet when the final decision will be announced.
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