adminThe Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has confirmed it has received an appeal from the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) challenging the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) decision to strip Senegal of the AFCON 2025 title.
In a statement issued by the Lausanne-based court, CAS said the appeal was filed and registered on Wednesday, 25 March 2026, with CAF and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation listed as respondents in the case.
Background to the dispute
Senegal originally won the AFCON 2025 final 1-0 after extra time against hosts Morocco in a dramatic match that included a 15-minute walkout by the Senegal team. The protest followed a penalty awarded to Morocco, which the hosts failed to convert before Senegal eventually secured victory.
After the final, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation petitioned CAF to award Morocco the title by forfeiture and a 3-0 scoreline, citing Articles 82 and 84. CAF’s appeal board later upheld the request and ruled in Morocco’s favour.
What Senegal is asking CAS to do
CAS confirmed that Senegal is seeking to have the CAF appeal board’s ruling set aside and to be officially declared AFCON champions.
According to CAS, the FSF is also requesting a pause on the deadline to file its full appeal brief until CAF provides the decision with complete reasons. CAS noted that CAF’s ruling issued on 17 March 2026 was, at the time, operative only.
Next steps at CAS
CAS said it will constitute an arbitral panel to hear the matter. However, the court has not provided a hearing timeline, citing Senegal’s request relating to time limits and submissions.
CAS Director General Matthieu Reeb stated that the court is prepared to handle the case and will move as quickly as possible while ensuring all parties receive a fair hearing, noting that CAS has the expertise and independent arbitrators required for disputes of this nature.
