AFCON Drama: CAS Sets October Date to Hear Senegal’s Appeal Against Morocco

Senegal’s AFCON 2025 Appeal: CAS Sets Date For Hearing

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has confirmed that it will hear Senegal’s appeal against the decision that awarded Morocco the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title.

The hearing is scheduled for Thursday, October 8, 2026, at the CAS headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland. The case involves the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF), the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF).

According to the latest operational note from CAS dated September 30, 2026, the hearing will begin at 9:30am and is expected to continue until the afternoon.

The proceedings will be conducted in person at the CAS headquarters but will take place behind closed doors.

“The hearing is scheduled to begin at 9:30am and expected to end in the afternoon,”said CAS.

The court added that the parties did not request a public hearing, meaning the media will not be allowed inside the proceedings.

Representatives from the Senegalese Football Federation and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation will attend the hearing in person, while CAF will be represented by its lawyers.

AFCON 2025 Decision Not Expected on Hearing Day

CAS has also clarified that a final decision will not be delivered on October 8. After hearing the parties, the three-member panel will begin its deliberations.

“After the hearing, the Panel will start its deliberations,” CAS said.
The court added,“At this stage, CAS cannot state when a final decision will be rendered but it will not be on the day of the hearing.”

The panel will be chaired by Professor Gérald Simon of France, with Professor Luigi Fumagalli of Italy and Professor Ulrich Haas of Germany serving as the other arbitrators. The parties have agreed that the proceedings will be conducted in French.

Senegal Appeals CAF Decision

The hearing follows an appeal filed by the Senegalese Football Federation challenging a CAF decision over the 2025 AFCON final. CAS registered the appeal on March 25, 2026.

Senegal is seeking to overturn the CAF decision that declared the national team had forfeited the final and recorded Morocco as the winner by a 3-0 scoreline.

The Senegalese federation has asked CAS to declare Senegal the winners of AFCON 2025. The case will therefore determine whether the CAF decision remains in place or is overturned following Senegal’s appeal.

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How the AFCON Final Dispute Started

The dispute dates back to the AFCON 2025 final between Senegal and Morocco on January 18, 2026. During the final, Morocco was awarded a penalty. Senegal’s players demonstrated against the decision by leaving the pitch for a period of time.

The incident was followed by clashes between Senegalese fans and police. The Senegal players later agreed to return to the pitch, allowing Morocco’s Brahim Diaz to take the penalty.

Diaz attempted a Panenka but missed the spot kick. Senegal then went on to score in extra time and emerged as the winners on the pitch.

Also Read:Morocco Crowned AFCON 2025 Champions After CAF Ruling

Morocco Challenged the Result

In the days that followed, Morocco appealed the result, arguing that Senegal’s players had left the pitch for about 15 minutes, which it said was against Article 82 of the Africa Cup of Nations regulations.

The CAF Appeals Board later ruled that Senegal had infringed Article 82. It declared Senegal to have forfeited the match and recorded a 3-0 victory for Morocco. That decision changed the official outcome of the final and led to Senegal taking the matter to CAS.