The CAS hearing, which began at 9:30 a.m. on October 8, 2026, in Lausanne, Switzerland, involved representatives from Morocco, Senegal, and the Confederation of African Football (CAF). All parties were represented by lawyers, and the hearing was expected to continue until the afternoon. CAS Director General Matthieu Reeb confirmed that a final decision would not be announced immediately.
According to Reeb, the tribunal will take some time to issue its ruling, depending on the complexity of the case and the need to prepare a fully reasoned decision. He estimated that the verdict could take "a few days or even a few weeks" if the arbitrators want to write a complete decision with the legal reasoning. The hearing schedule was agreed upon by all parties involved, and Reeb stressed that the CAS aims to conclude the matter as quickly as possible.
The dispute dates back to the controversial AFCON 2025 final between Morocco and Senegal, which was interrupted for several minutes after Senegal walked off the pitch before returning to the match. Morocco later challenged the result before CAF, which ruled that Senegal had forfeited the match. However, the decision did not definitively settle the question of the tournament winner, and the case subsequently reached CAS.
The three-member panel hearing the case is composed of French professor Gérald Simon, German professor Ulrich Haas, and Italian professor Luigi Fumagalli. Reeb acknowledged the importance of the case for supporters in both countries and across Africa, stating that the wait for Moroccan and Senegalese supporters, as well as for all African fans, has been very long.
The CAS hearing took place over several hours, with the schedule planned until 3 p.m., 3:30 p.m., or 4 p.m. Reeb confirmed that the hearing had started with representatives of all the parties, including Senegal, Morocco, and CAF, all represented by lawyers. The parties could receive the verdict within a few days, while a fully reasoned ruling could take several weeks.
Matthieu Reeb emphasized that the CAS aims to issue a decision as quickly as possible after the hearing. He expressed understanding for the long wait experienced by supporters of both teams and across Africa. The final outcome of the dispute remains uncertain, with Morocco and Senegal awaiting the CAS verdict.
The CAS verdict will have significant implications for the 2025 AFCON, as it will determine the final outcome of the tournament. The dispute has been closely followed by fans and supporters of both teams, and the decision is expected to bring clarity to the situation. Key parties involved will have to wait a little longer for the outcome.
Key points
- The CAS hearing has been held in the dispute between Morocco and Senegal over the 2025 AFCON final.
- A verdict is not expected immediately, with the tribunal estimating it could take a few days or weeks.
- The CAS aims to conclude the matter as quickly as possible after the hearing.
