CAS sets October 8 hearing for Senegal’s 2025 AFCON final appeal
The Court of Arbitration for Sport has fixed October 8, 2026, for the hearing of the appeal filed by the Senegalese Football Federation over the controversial outcome of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final.
CAS disclosed this in a statement on Friday, confirming that the hearing would take place at its headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.
The dispute involves the Senegalese Football Federation, the Confederation of African Football and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation.
According to CAS, Senegal is challenging CAF’s decision to declare the Teranga Lions as having forfeited the AFCON 2025 final and to award Morocco a 3-0 victory.
The statement noted that the appeal, which was registered on March 25, 2026, also seeks to have Senegal declared winners of the tournament.
It read, “The Court of Arbitration for Sport confirms a hearing has been scheduled for the procedure between the Senegalese Football Federation against the Confederation of African Football and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation concerning the final of the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025.
“The hearing will take place on 8 October 2026, at CAS headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.”
CAS explained that the case would proceed under its normal timetable because the parties did not agree to an expedited process.
“The Parties did not agree to expedite this procedure, which is therefore following a standard timeline according to CAS procedural rules,” the statement said.
It added that the hearing date was fixed after consultations with all parties and would be held behind closed doors because none of the parties requested a public hearing.
“This means it will take place behind closed doors,” CAS stated.
The arbitration body also clarified that no ruling would be delivered on the day of the hearing, noting that its panel would begin deliberations only after hearing arguments from the parties.
“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,” the statement added.
CAS further warned against misinformation surrounding the case, saying reports circulating online that did not originate from its official channels should not be regarded as authoritative.
“Only information provided through CAS channels is considered official and any announcement concerning this case will be published on the CAS website,” it said.
The dispute stems from the dramatic AFCON 2025 final played in Rabat on January 18, 2026.
The match was thrown into chaos in stoppage time after the referee awarded Morocco a penalty following a VAR review.
Senegal’s players walked off the pitch in protest and remained off the field for about 14 minutes before returning to resume the game.
The penalty was eventually missed, and Senegal went on to win 1-0 after extra time, lifting what appeared to be their second AFCON title.
However, Morocco challenged the outcome, arguing that Senegal’s temporary walk-off breached CAF competition regulations.
On March 17, 2026, the CAF Appeal Board ruled that Senegal had forfeited the final under Articles 82 and 84 of the tournament regulations, overturned the on-field result and awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory and the continental title.
The decision sparked widespread controversy across African football, with the Senegalese Football Federation describing the ruling as a “travesty” and insisting it had no legal basis.
Senegal subsequently lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport, seeking to overturn CAF’s decision, reinstate the original result and have the country officially recognised as the 2025 AFCON champions.
