Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has scheduled a hearing for 8 October 2026 to consider Senegal’s appeal against the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) decision to strip them of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title and award the championship to hosts Morocco.
The appeal follows one of the most controversial conclusions to an AFCON final in the tournament’s history, with Senegal seeking to overturn CAF’s ruling and be reinstated as African champions after initially winning the match 1-0 following extra time.
The hearing, which will take place behind closed doors at CAS headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, is expected to determine whether CAF acted within its regulations when it ruled that Senegal had forfeited the final.
2025 Africa Cup of Nations final was held in Morocco, with the host nation facing defending champions Senegal in front of a capacity crowd.
After 90 minutes of play, the match remained goalless before a dramatic incident deep into stoppage time transformed the outcome of the tournament.
The referee awarded Morocco a penalty after reviewing an incident inside the penalty area.
The decision immediately triggered protests from Senegal’s players, who walked off the pitch in disagreement with the award.
According to match reports, play was suspended for approximately 17 minuteswhile officials attempted to persuade the players to return.
Eventually, Senegal resumed the match.
Morocco’s Brahim Díaz stepped up to take the penalty but saw his effort brilliantly saved by Senegal’s goalkeeper.
The game proceeded into extra time, where midfielder Pape Gueye scored what appeared to be the winning goal, handing Senegal a 1-0 victory and what players believed was the country’s second Africa Cup of Nations title after their triumph in 2021.
Celebrations followed both on the pitch and across Senegal before the result was later challenged.
In January 2026, CAF’s disciplinary bodies reviewed the events surrounding the final.
The governing body concluded that Senegal’s temporary walk-off constituted a breach of tournament regulations.
CAF ruled that Senegal had effectively forfeited the match, despite returning to complete the game and ultimately winning it.
As a result, the organisation awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory, officially declaring the hosts champions of Africa.
The decision immediately generated debate across African football.
Supporters of the ruling argued that players cannot suspend matches in protest without facing disciplinary consequences.
Critics questioned whether forfeiting a completed match especially one that resumed with the referee’s approval was proportionate.
Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) rejected CAF’s decision and lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport on 25 March 2026.
In its submission, Senegal requested that CAS annul CAF’s disciplinary decision, reinstate the original match result, officially recognise Senegal as 2025 AFCON champions, restore all associated titles, medals and records.
CAS confirmed that the appeal had been registered and that all parties had exchanged written submissions before a hearing date could be fixed.
Many supporters questioned why the appeal was not heard earlier.
CAS explained that neither CAF nor the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) agreed to an expedited procedure.
Without agreement from all parties, the case followed the court’s normal arbitration timetable.
As a result, the hearing has been scheduled for 8 October 2026, almost ten months after CAF announced its decision.
The proceedings will take place privately, as neither CAF nor Morocco requested a public hearing.
Court of Arbitration for Sport is the world’s highest independent body for resolving international sporting disputes.
Unlike football governing bodies, CAS does not replay matches or determine sporting results based on performance.
Instead, arbitrators will examine whether CAF correctly interpreted its disciplinary regulations, Senegal’s temporary walk-off legally amounted to forfeiture and whether proper disciplinary procedures were followed.
CAS may uphold CAF’s decision, overturn it entirely or order another remedy if it concludes that procedural errors occurred.
If CAS dismisses the appeal, Morocco will remain official AFCON champions.
The ruling could also set an important precedent for future cases involving player protests and abandoned or interrupted international matches.
Sports lawyers say the dispute is unusual because it involves a completed final whose result was subsequently overturned through disciplinary proceedings rather than events on the field.
Historically, football matches have occasionally been forfeited after teams abandoned games or fielded ineligible players.
However, cases involving completed continental finals are exceptionally rare.
The outcome could influence how CAF handles future disciplinary matters involving player conduct during matches.
The case extends beyond the question of who lifts the trophy.
A change to the official result would also require updates to CAF’s historical records and tournament statistics.
The hearing will be held on 8 October 2026 at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne.
CAS has said no final verdict will be issued on the day of the hearing, as arbitrators will deliberate before publishing a written decision at a later date.
Until then, Morocco remains the officially recognised winner of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, while Senegal continues its legal effort to have its on-field victory restored.
