The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has scheduled a hearing for October 8, 2026, to consider the appeal by the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) against the Confederation of African Football's (CAF) decision to strip Senegal of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title. CAF had awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory and the title in March 2026, overturning Senegal's 1-0 win in the final. The match was marred by chaotic scenes when Senegal players walked off the pitch in protest at a penalty awarded to Morocco.
The hearing will take place at CAS headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, and is expected to begin at 9:30am local time. Representatives from the FSF and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) will attend in person, while CAF will be represented by their attorneys. The CAS arbitrators constituting the Panel are Professor Gérald Simon (France), Professor Luigi Fumagalli (Italy), and Professor Dr. Ulrich Haas (Germany). The parties have agreed to conduct proceedings in French.
The CAS hearing will be held in person, but behind closed doors, without media present. Journalists planning to report on the hearing day from outside CAS headquarters are required to contact [email protected] with a valid press card. CAS has stated that it cannot predict when a final decision will be rendered, but it will not be on the day of the hearing.
The dispute arose after CAF overturned the result of the AFCON final, citing incidents during the match. Senegal won 1-0 in extra time courtesy of a Pape Gueye goal, but the match was marred by controversy. CAF's decision to award Morocco the title was met with disappointment from Senegal, who appealed to CAS.
The Senegalese Football Federation's appeal to CAS is an effort to overturn CAF's decision and potentially regain the AFCON title. The FSF had expressed disappointment with CAF's ruling, citing the team's hard-fought victory on the pitch. The outcome of the CAS hearing will determine the final result of the AFCON.
The CAS hearing is a crucial step in resolving the dispute between Senegal, Morocco, and CAF. The Panel's decision will have a significant impact on the football community, particularly in Africa. All parties involved are expected to present their arguments and evidence during the hearing.
The hearing's outcome will be communicated on the CAS website, and any further announcements concerning this case will be published there. The football community awaits the CAS decision, which will bring clarity to the AFCON title dispute.
Key points
- The CAS hearing on the AFCON final appeal is scheduled for October 8, 2026, in Switzerland.
- The hearing will be held behind closed doors, without media present.
- The CAS decision will have a significant impact on the football community, particularly in Africa.
