CAS Verdict on Senegal's AFCON Title Appeal Expected at End of November
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The Court of Arbitration for Sport will issue a full reasoned award, not a quick ruling, on whether Senegal or Morocco holds the Africa Cup of Nations title.
Developing story: The ruling has not been issued yet, and the outcome remains open.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) says its decision on Senegal's appeal over the Africa Cup of Nations title will come at the end of November 2026. According to Al Jazeera, the court first signalled a decision within days of the hearing, but has now chosen to publish a full award with detailed legal reasoning, which it says will take several weeks.
The hearing was held in Lausanne on 8 October, with Senegal, Morocco and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) all presenting arguments, Al Jazeera reports. The three-member panel is chaired by Gerald Simon.
The dispute goes back to the January 2026 final in Rabat. Senegal won 1-0 after extra time, but only after walking off the pitch for about 14 minutes in protest at a late penalty awarded against them. Morocco missed that penalty, and the match went to extra time.
About two months later, CAF's Appeal Board ruled that Senegal had forfeited the match by leaving the field. It awarded Morocco a 3-0 win and declared them champions. Senegal filed its appeal with CAS on 25 March.
Senegal's central argument, per Al Jazeera, is that the referee's decision was final and that he allowed the game to be completed. CAS Director General Matthieu Reeb said the facts are not in dispute, and the remaining questions are procedural and legal.
Until the award is published, CAF's decision naming Morocco as champions stands.