The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has formally registered an appeal by the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) challenging the Confederation of African Football (Caf) and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) over the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) Morocco 2025 final.
The appeal, received by CAS on March 25, 2026, targets a Caf decision made on March 17, 2026 that awarded the Afcon 2025 title to Morocco by a 3-0 scoreline, declaring Senegal to have forfeited the final.
FSF seeks to have the ruling overturned and to be recognized as the rightful champions.
The federation has also requested an immediate suspension of the deadline to submit an appeal brief until CAF provides the full grounds for its decision. Until then, the CAF ruling remains in effect.
“CAS is perfectly equipped to resolve this type of dispute, with the assistance of expert and independent arbitrators,” said Mathieu Reeb, CAS Director General.
“We understand that teams and fans are eager to know the final outcome, and we will ensure arbitration proceedings are conducted as swiftly as possible, while respecting the right of all parties to a fair hearing.”
A CAS Arbitral Panel will be appointed to consider the matter. Under CAS procedural rules, the appellant has 20 days to file its appeal brief, after which the respondents have 20 days to submit a statement of defence.
CAS noted that no procedural timeline or hearing date can be announced at this stage, and that proceedings are confidential.
The appeal follows widespread criticism of CAF’s decision. The Senegalese government described the ruling as “grossly illegal and profoundly unjust,” arguing that it “directly contradicts the cardinal principles that underpin sporting ethics, foremost among which are fairness, loyalty, and respect for the truth of the game.”
The government has called for an independent international investigation into alleged corruption within CAF and pledged to pursue all legal avenues to restore Senegal’s sporting honor.
The controversy stems from events during the final in Rabat on 18 January 2026, when a late 98th-minute penalty awarded by Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala sparked chaos.
Senegal players reportedly walked off the pitch for several minutes, although the referee did not blow the final whistle and resumed play, allowing the decisive penalty to be taken.
Senegal’s captain, Sadio Mané, criticized CAF’s boardroom decision, calling it “deeply disappointing” and decrying corruption in African football.
CAF justified its ruling under its Rules 82 and 84, stating that a team abandoning the match forfeits it 3–0.
However, critics argue this contradicts Law 5 of the Laws of the Game, which grants referees full authority during matches and specifies that decisions regarding play are final unless administrative errors occur.
The ruling has sparked international outrage. South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) condemned the decision, warning it undermines African football’s credibility and the trust of fans.
Meanwhile, Senegal’s government and supporters continue to call for accountability and a transparent review of Caf’s practices, including monitoring the welfare of Senegalese fans detained in Morocco following the final.
The CAS process marks the next stage in what has become one of the most contentious episodes in African football history, with millions of fans and stakeholders awaiting a resolution that balances sporting integrity with due process.
