The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has fixed October 8, 2026, to hear Senegal’s appeal against the decision that stripped them of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title and awarded the trophy to Morocco.
The hearing involving the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF), Confederation of African Football (CAF) and Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) will take place behind closed doors in Lausanne, Switzerland.
The proceedings are expected to determine whether Senegal, who won the controversial final on the pitch, or Morocco, who were subsequently awarded the trophy, will officially be recognised as African champions.
Confirming the case in a statement on Friday, CAS said Senegal are seeking to overturn CAF’s decision declaring that they forfeited the final and recording Morocco as 3-0 winners.
CAS said: “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.
“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.”
The dispute followed a dramatic AFCON final between Senegal and Morocco in Rabat on January 18.
Senegal walked off the pitch after they were denied a late winner before DR Congo referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a penalty.
The match was delayed for 14 minutes before Senegal returned to the pitch.
Morocco’s Brahim Diaz subsequently missed the penalty after attempting a ‘Panenka’-style effort, sending the contest into extra time.
Senegal eventually secured a 1-0 victory through Pape Gueye’s superb extra-time strike and were presented with the AFCON trophy on the night.
However, the controversy surrounding their walk-off continued after the tournament.
A CAF Disciplinary Committee initially imposed only fines, but the organisation’s Appeals Committee subsequently stripped Senegal of the title and awarded the final to Morocco as a 3-0 victory.
The FSF is now challenging that decision at CAS as Senegal seek to reclaim the continental title they won on the pitch.
Although the hearing has been scheduled for October 8, CAS said a final ruling will not be delivered on the same day, with the panel expected to begin deliberations after hearing the parties.
