CAS expects Senegal’s AFCON title appeal ruling by end of November
The court now expects to issue a full ruling with legal grounds, extending the wait over whether Morocco keeps the title awarded by African football officials.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport expects to rule by the end of November 2026 on Senegal’s appeal against the decision to award Morocco the Africa Cup of Nations title, Reuters reported on 19 October. The revised timetable extends the wait for both teams after their dispute reached a hearing in Lausanne, Switzerland, earlier this month.
CAS had previously expected a decision within days of the 8 October hearing, according to Reuters. Its arbitrators have instead chosen to issue a complete ruling that includes their legal grounds, known as a CAS Award. The court said the process would take several weeks, with the award expected at the end of November.
Why Senegal and Morocco are contesting the title
Senegal beat host Morocco 1-0 after extra time in the January final in Rabat. Late in regulation time, Senegal’s players walked off after the referee awarded Morocco a penalty. Reuters reported that play was interrupted for about 14 minutes before Senegal returned. Morocco missed the spot kick, and Senegal scored the winning goal in extra time.
CAF’s Appeal Board later ruled that Senegal had forfeited the match by leaving the pitch. It overturned the result and recorded a 3-0 victory for Morocco, giving Morocco the title. Senegal lodged its appeal with CAS on 25 March, challenging that decision.
Senegal’s argument, as reported by Reuters, is that the referee’s decision was final and that he allowed the match to be completed. The Associated Press also noted that football’s Laws of the Game state that referees’ decisions are final. Those arguments have yet to be resolved in the CAS award.
What happened at the CAS hearing
Senegal, Morocco and CAF presented their arguments to CAS on 8 October. The hearing took place behind closed doors at the court’s headquarters in Lausanne, the Associated Press reported, and the panel has begun deliberating. CAS Director General Matthieu Reeb said outside the hearing that the facts were clear and the discussions would focus on procedural issues and legal aspects, according to Reuters.
The new timetable replaces the expectation of a decision within days described in NewsJaws’ earlier coverage of the appeal hearing. CAS awards have the same value as national court judgments and may be enforced by sports federations or state courts, depending on the circumstances, Reuters reported.
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Sources and context
- Decision on Senegal’s AFCON final appeal to be made by end of NovemberAl Jazeera (Reuters)
- CAS sets late November date for Senegal appeal over awarding Africa Cup of Nations to MoroccoAssociated Press (via Yahoo Sports)
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.