Senegal’s Afcon title appeal decision due by end of November

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) will issue its decision on Senegal’s appeal against the removal of their Africa Cup of Nations title at the end of November.

Senegal are challenging the Confederation of African Football (Caf) ruling that awarded the trophy to Morocco, despite the west African side beating the hosts 1-0 after extra time in January’s final in Rabat.

The case was heard in Lausanne on 8 October, when Cas considered submissions from Senegal, Morocco and Caf. The court had initially indicated that its decision could be issued within days, but has now said it will publish a full ruling, including the legal reasoning behind it.

“This process will require several weeks, with the Cas Award expected at the end of November 2026,” Cas said in a statement on Monday.

The dispute centres on events late in normal time during the final. Senegal players left the pitch for 14 minutes after a penalty was awarded against them, with several members of the team going to the dressing room in protest.

Morocco failed to score from the spot-kick and the match resumed, eventually going into extra time. Senegal then scored the winning goal and appeared to have secured the Afcon title.

Two months later, however, Caf’s Appeal Board ruled that Senegal had forfeited the match by leaving the field. It overturned the result and awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory, stripping Senegal of the championship.

Senegal lodged an appeal with Cas, sport’s highest court, on 25 March. The case was heard around six months later, with Senegal’s argument based largely on the principle that the referee’s decision is final and that the official had allowed the match to continue to its conclusion.

Cas director general Matthieu Reeb said outside the hearing earlier this month that the wait had been difficult for supporters.

“I know it’s a long wait for the fans a few months after the final between Senegal and Morocco,” he said.

“I expect the decision to come not today, not tomorrow, but a few days later. The facts are set, are clear and the discussions will be on some procedural issues and legal aspects.”

The panel hearing the appeal is chaired by French sports law expert Gerald Simon. He is joined by Italian international law professor Luigi Fumagalli and Hamburg-based attorney and University of Zurich law professor Ulrich Haas.

Cas decisions are known as awards and carry the same legal value as a national court judgment. They can be enforced under the New York Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards, either by sports federations or state courts, depending on the circumstances.