CAS sets October hearing date for Senegal’s AFCON final appeal against CAF and Morocco

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has confirmed that it will hear the Senegalese Football Federation’s (FSF) appeal against both the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) on 8 October 2026.

The case follows one of the most controversial endings in Africa Cup of Nations history, after Senegal were stripped of the 2025 AFCON title despite initially lifting the trophy on the night of the final.

The hearing will take place behind closed doors in Lausanne, Switzerland, with CAS expected to deliver the final legal ruling on whether Senegal or Morocco will be recognised as the official champions of the tournament.

CAS outlines Senegal’s appeal

In a statement released on Friday, CAS confirmed that Senegal are seeking to overturn CAF’s decision and have their AFCON triumph officially reinstated.

“The FSF appeal seeks to set aside a CAF decision declaring that the Senegal national team forfeited the AFCON 2025 final and recording the Moroccan national team as the winners of the match by 3-0. The appeal requests that CAS declare the FSF winners of AFCON 2025.”

CAS also explained that the proceedings will follow its standard legal process after neither party agreed to fast-track the case.

“The parties did not agree to expedite this procedure, which is therefore following a standard timeline according to CAS procedural rules.

“The hearing date was decided after consultation with the parties, who also did not request that it be made public. This means it will take place behind closed doors.

“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.”

How the AFCON final controversy unfolded

The controversy stems from the 2025 AFCON final, played in Rabat on 18 January, where Senegal appeared to secure victory in dramatic fashion.

However, chaos erupted after Senegal had a late winning goal ruled out before DR Congo referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded a penalty to Morocco moments later.

The Senegal players walked off the pitch in protest, leading to a delay of around 14 minutes before play eventually resumed.

When the match restarted, Brahim Diaz failed to convert the penalty after attempting a Panenka-style finish, allowing Senegal to remain level.

The match eventually went to extra time, where Pape Gueye scored the decisive goal to hand Senegal a 1-0 victory and what appeared to be the nation’s second Africa Cup of Nations title.

CAF later stripped Senegal of the title

Although Senegal celebrated with the trophy on the night, the situation changed dramatically in the weeks that followed.

The CAF Disciplinary Committee initially imposed financial sanctions over the incident but stopped short of overturning the result.

However, following further review, the CAF Appeals Committee ruled that Senegal had forfeited the final, awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory and stripping Senegal of the continental title.

Final decision now rests with CAS

The Senegalese Football Federation is now asking CAS to overturn CAF’s ruling and restore Senegal as the rightful 2025 AFCON champions.

With the hearing now scheduled for October, the long-running dispute is finally moving towards a conclusion, although CAS has confirmed there is no set date for when its final verdict will be announced after proceedings conclude.