CAS Schedules Hearing for Senegal's Appeal Against CAF Decision
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has announced that it will hold a hearing to review the appeal submitted by the Senegalese Football Federation against the decision made by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) which declared Senegal the loser in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final due to their withdrawal following the awarding of a penalty to Morocco. The hearing is set to take place on October 8, 2026, at the CAS headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.
According to a statement from CAS, the legal proceedings will involve the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) on one side and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) along with the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) on the other. The Senegalese federation is seeking to overturn the CAF's ruling, which declared their team to have lost the final match with a score of 3-0, as a result of their withdrawal. Additionally, they are requesting that CAS recognizes Senegal as the champions of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
CAS clarified that the two parties did not agree to expedite the proceedings, which will follow the regular schedule as per CAS procedural rules. The hearing date was set after consultations with both parties, who also did not request a public session, indicating that it will be conducted behind closed doors. Following the hearing, the panel will begin its deliberations. At this stage, CAS cannot determine when the final decision will be issued, but it will not be announced on the same day as the hearing.
This ruling by CAF, issued on March 18, 2026, declared Morocco the winner of the final match with a score of 3-0 after Senegal withdrew following the penalty decision against them. This controversial match ended with Senegal winning 1-0, thanks to a goal by Bab Gaye during extra time, after Ibrahim Diaz missed the penalty that led to Senegal's withdrawal before they returned to complete the match.
As reported by arabic.cnn.com.
