Fake CAS document reignites uncertainty over Morocco-Senegal AFCON dispute

A fake document claiming that Senegal have been awarded the Africa Cup of Nations title at Morocco’s expense has circulated on social media, despite the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) not having announced an official ruling in the dispute.

The document, which carries the court’s logo, claims that Senegal were declared African champions following an in-depth examination of the case. However, Senegalese website SeneNews reported that the document is false.

The development has reignited debate over the unresolved dispute between Morocco and Senegal following the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, played in Rabat on 18 January 2026.

Errors expose fake Senegal coronation document

The circulated document contains several inconsistencies that raise questions about its authenticity.

It refers to the tournament as the “2026 Africa Cup of Nations”, although the disputed final belongs to the 2025 edition. It also fails to reference the Confederation of African Football (CAF), whose contested decision is at the centre of the legal proceedings.

The document does not include a case number or legal reasoning to explain the alleged decision.

Its wording has also raised doubts, with congratulations directed at Senegal’s national team, technical staff and people. Such language differs from the formal legal reasoning typically associated with sports arbitration rulings.

The phrase “fake news” was subsequently added to the version circulating online.

Another false document amid Morocco-Senegal dispute

The latest claim is not the first false document attributed to CAS to emerge during the dispute between the two countries.

According to the report, several documents claiming that Senegal had won the case have circulated on social media in recent months, using different dates and wording to create the impression that an official decision had been reached.

One of the earlier documents reportedly contained an incorrect case number, while Senegal’s appeal was registered with CAS under CAS 2026/A/12295.

Last July, the court issued a statement denying the authenticity of a forged document circulating online and confirmed that no decision had been issued in the case at that time.

The latest document, dated 14 October, is another example of claims portraying the dispute as settled despite the ongoing proceedings.

When will CAS announce its decision?

The hearing took place in Lausanne on 8 October, after which the case was reserved for deliberation ahead of a final decision.

CAS has not officially announced when its ruling will be delivered.

Previous reports have suggested that the decision could come between 18 and 22 October, but that timeframe remains an estimate rather than a confirmed date.

Once a ruling is issued, it is expected to be published through the court’s official channels, with the parties involved, including CAF, the Moroccan Football Federation and the Senegalese Football Federation, also expected to be informed.

Morocco and Senegal await official verdict

The dispute over the African title remains unresolved in the absence of an official CAS ruling.

The latest fake document has added to the uncertainty surrounding the case, but it does not establish that Senegal have been awarded the trophy.

Any claim that the title has been awarded to either Morocco or Senegal should therefore be treated with caution until the court announces its decision through official channels.