Report by Ebrima Sonko, Dakar
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has announced that it will deliver its decision as quickly as possible after Senegal formally appealed the controversial ruling that stripped them of their Africa Cup of Nations title following a disputed final against Morocco.
Senegal had originally defeated the hosts 1–0 in the final played on January 18, but the result was later overturned and recorded as a 3–0 win for Morocco after disciplinary action by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The controversy began in stoppage time when the referee awarded Morocco a penalty, a decision that sparked protests from Senegalese players, who briefly walked off the pitch before eventually returning to complete the match. Morocco’s football federation, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, subsequently filed a complaint, arguing that Senegal’s actions violated competition rules.
After reviewing the protest, CAF ruled that Senegal had forfeited the match due to the walk-off, officially changing the final result to a 3–0 victory in favor of Morocco, a decision that effectively handed the tournament title to the host nation and triggered strong backlash from Senegalese officials, players, and supporters.
Senegal has now taken the case to CAS, the highest independent authority in global sports disputes, hoping the ruling will be overturned and the original result reinstated.
CAS Director General Matthieu Reeb said the panel is aware of the urgency surrounding the case.
“We understand that teams and fans are eager to know the final decision, and we will ensure that arbitration proceedings are conducted as swiftly as possible, while respecting the right of all parties to a fair hearing,” he said in a statement, while noting that no exact timeline has been set.
The dispute could drag on for months. Former CAF disciplinary panel chairman Raymond Hack previously warned that such cases can take up to six months to resolve, meaning the appeal process could continue even during upcoming international competitions, including the FIFA World Cup period.
The case has reignited debate over officiating standards, disciplinary rules, and the handling of protests in African football, with many analysts saying the final decision by CAS could set an important precedent for future continental tournaments.
