CAS sets closed hearing for Senegal’s appeal against Morocco and CAF

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) will hear Senegal’s appeal against the decision by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to strip the country of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title and award it to Morocco.

The hearing is scheduled to begin at 09:30 on Thursday, 8 October, at the CAS headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Senegal had beaten hosts Morocco in the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and were initially recognised as champions. CAF later decided to withdraw the title from Senegal, award it to Morocco and impose severe sanctions on both national teams.

The Senegalese Football Federation subsequently lodged a complaint with CAS, which will now determine the outcome of the dispute and the final status of the title.

CAS said the hearing would be held in person but would not be open to the media. The parties involved agreed that proceedings would be conducted in French.

“The hearing is expected to finish in the afternoon,” CAS said. “After the hearing, the panel will begin its deliberations. The court cannot determine when the final decision will be issued, and it will not be delivered on the day of the hearing.”

The hearing date was fixed after consultation with the parties, who did not request a public session.

Two representatives of the Senegalese Football Federation, a representative of the Moroccan Football Federation in person, and a lawyer acting for CAF are due to attend.

The three-member arbitration panel will be chaired by Professor Gerald Simon of France. He will be joined by Professor Luigi Fumagalli of Italy and Professor Dr Ulrich Haas of Germany.

CAS has not set a date for publishing its ruling.