CAS Sets October 8 Hearing for Senegal AFCON Title Appeal

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) will hear Senegal’s appeal against the decision to strip it of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title on October 8, 2026. The hearing, which will be held behind closed doors, marks a critical step in a dispute that has embroiled the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF), the Confederation of African Football (CAF), and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) since the controversial final on January 18, 2025.

The case stems from events in the closing moments of the final in Rabat, Morocco. Deep into stoppage time, the referee awarded Morocco a penalty following a VAR check. In protest of the decision, then-Senegal coach Pape Thiaw led his players off the pitch. The team returned after approximately 14 minutes, and Moroccan player Brahim Diaz subsequently missed the spot-kick. Senegal then scored in extra time to win the match 1-0.

However, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation filed a complaint, arguing that the referee should have ruled Senegal had forfeited the match when its players left the field. On March 17, 2025, CAF’s appeal board upheld that complaint. Citing Articles 82 and 84 of the Africa Cup of Nations regulations, which...