LAUSANNE, Switzerland — The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has confirmed receipt of an appeal by the Senegalese Football Federation seeking to overturn a decision that awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final.
In a media release dated March 25, 2026, CAS said the appeal challenges a ruling by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), which declared that Senegal had forfeited the final played in Morocco, consequently awarding the title to the Royal Moroccan Football Federation.
The Senegalese federation is seeking to have the CAF decision set aside and instead be declared the winners of the tournament. It has also requested an immediate suspension of procedural timelines pending receipt of the full grounds of CAF’s decision.
According to CAS, the matter will now be referred to an arbitral panel, which will establish a procedural calendar for the case.
Under CAS rules, the appellant is typically required to submit a detailed appeal brief within 20 days, after which the respondents are granted a similar period to file their defence. However, the court noted that it is too early to determine when a hearing will take place.
CAS Director General Matthieu Reeb said the tribunal is equipped to handle the dispute efficiently while ensuring fairness to all parties.
“CAS is perfectly equipped to resolve this type of dispute, with the assistance of expert and independent arbitrators. We understand that teams and fans are eager to know the final decision, and we will ensure that arbitration proceedings are conducted as swiftly as possible, while respecting the right of all parties to a fair hearing,” he said.
The dispute stems from a CAF decision issued on March 17, 2026, which declared Senegal to have forfeited the AFCON final, awarding Morocco a 3-0 win. The circumstances leading to the forfeiture have not been detailed in the CAS summary.
The case now places one of African football’s most high-profile tournaments under legal scrutiny, with potential implications for CAF’s disciplinary processes and the governance of continental competitions.
CAS proceedings are typically confidential, and further details are expected once the arbitration panel is constituted and schedules hearings.
