The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has scheduled October 8, 2026, for the hearing regarding the ongoing legal dispute between Senegal and Morocco over the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title.
The Lausanne-based tribunal will review the appeal filed by the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) against the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), aiming to overturn the official match result.
Background on the CAF Decision
The CAF Appeal Committee previously declared Senegal as having forfeited the final, awarding Morocco a 3–0 victory and handing the Atlas Lions the continental trophy.
This administrative decision was issued despite Senegal’s 1–0 victory after extra time on the pitch during the final played on January 18, thanks to a decisive goal scored by Pape Gueye.
What Happened During the AFCON 2025 Final?
The high-stakes final witnessed dramatic scenes when Senegalese players temporarily walked off the pitch in protest against a penalty awarded to Morocco. The team eventually returned to complete the match. Morocco’s Brahim Díaz missed the penalty before the game headed into extra time.
Proceedings at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)
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Standard Timeline: CAS confirmed that the parties involved did not agree to an expedited procedure, meaning the appeal is following the standard timeline and procedural rules.
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Closed-Door Hearing: The hearing will take place behind closed doors at the CAS headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, as no party requested a public hearing.
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Final Verdict Pending: Following the hearing, the arbitral panel will deliberate to reach a final decision. No specific date has been set for the official verdict announcement.
