CAS hears Senegal’s appeal over AFCON title

Senegal’s appeal of the decision awarding Morocco the Africa Cup of Nations title was heard Thursday by the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland. The court’s ruling remains pending, and it has not set a date for its decision. Senegal is seeking to regain the championship after the Confederation of African Football’s Appeal Board overturned the result of January’s final. Senegal had beaten Morocco 1-0 after extra time in Rabat, but CAF ruled two months later that Senegal had forfeited the match and awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory. The dispute stems from a late penalty awarded to Morocco during regulation time. Senegal’s players left the field in protest before returning and resuming play. Morocco did not convert the penalty, and the match went to extra time, where Senegal scored the only goal. CAF’s Appeal Board relied on tournament rules stating that a team that leaves the field before the match ends without the referee’s authorization is considered to have lost. Senegal lodged its appeal with CAS on March 25, arguing that the CAF decision should be reversed and that it should be reinstated as champion.