AFCON 2025 Drama Deepens As CAS Fixes October 8 For Senegal’s Appeal

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is set to hear the Senegalese Football Federation’s appeal against the decision that stripped Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title and awarded the trophy to Morocco.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the hearing is scheduled for October 8, 2026, at 9:30am at the CAS headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland. The proceedings will be held behind closed doors after none of the parties requested a public hearing.

The case will be considered by a three-member panel led by French arbitrator Professor Gérald Simon, with Italian Professor Luigi Fumagalli and German Professor Dr Ulrich Haas serving alongside him. The proceedings will be conducted in French.

The dispute stems from the controversial AFCON 2025 final between Senegal and Morocco, played at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on January 18, 2026. Senegal initially won the encounter 1-0 after extra time, with Pape Gueye scoring the decisive goal in the 94th minute.

The final was overshadowed by controversy late in normal time after referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a penalty following a VAR review. Several Senegal players reportedly left the pitch in protest, resulting in a delay of almost 20 minutes before the team returned.

Morocco’s Brahim Diaz subsequently missed the penalty after attempting a Panenka, while Senegal went on to secure victory through Gueye’s extra-time goal.

However, the CAF Appeals Board ruled in March 2026 that Senegal had breached Article 82 of the competition regulations. The board declared that Senegal had forfeited the final and awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory, subsequently recognising Morocco as the champions.

The Senegalese Football Federation filed its appeal before CAS on March 25, 2026, asking the sports tribunal to overturn CAF’s decision and restore Senegal’s status as the winners of the tournament.

Representatives of the Senegalese Football Federation and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation are expected to attend the hearing in person, while CAF will be represented by its legal team.

CAS has clarified that no verdict will be delivered on the day of the hearing. Deliberations will begin after the proceedings, with the final ruling expected to be issued by mid-November 2026.