CAS to hear Senegal appeal against Morocco’s AFCON title on 8 October

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) will hear Senegal’s appeal against the decision to strip them of the Africa Cup of Nations title on 8 October 2026.

The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has challenged the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) decision to overturn the result of the AFCON final and award the title to Morocco.

Senegal initially won the final 1-0 after Pape Gueye scored the decisive goal in extra time.

However, the match was marred by controversy after the end of normal time, when several Senegal players temporarily left the pitch in protest at CAF’s decision to award Morocco a penalty with the game still goalless.

The players later returned and the match resumed, with Gueye eventually scoring the winner in extra time to secure Senegal’s victory.

CAF subsequently reviewed the circumstances surrounding the final and, in March 2026, overturned the result. The African football governing body awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory and recognised the North African country as the champions.

The FSF responded by taking the matter to CAS, setting up a legal battle over the outcome of the tournament.

The hearing is scheduled to begin at 09:30 local time on Thursday, 8 October, at CAS headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.

CAS has confirmed that the proceedings will be held in person but behind closed doors, meaning members of the media will not be permitted inside the hearing.

“The hearing is scheduled on Thursday, 8 October 2026,” CAS said in an operational note issued to the media.

“The hearing will be in person at CAS headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland. The hearing date was fixed after consultation with the Parties, who did not request that it be made public.

“This means it will take place behind closed doors, without media present.”

Representatives of the FSF and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) are expected to attend the hearing, while CAF will be represented by its legal team.

The three-member CAS panel will be chaired by French professor Gérald Simon, with Italian professor Luigi Fumagalli and German professor Dr Ulrich Haas completing the panel.

The parties have agreed that the proceedings will be conducted in French.

The hearing is expected to continue until the afternoon, after which the panel will begin its deliberations.

However, CAS has made clear that a decision will not be announced immediately.

“After the hearing, the Panel will start its deliberations. At this stage, CAS cannot state when a final decision will be rendered but it will not be on the day of the hearing,” the court said.

The case could ultimately determine the official outcome of the AFCON final, with Senegal seeking to have its victory restored and Morocco's title recognition overturned.

The dispute centres on CAF's retrospective decision to change the result of the final following the controversial penalty incident and the temporary walk-off by Senegal players.

Journalists seeking to follow developments from outside the CAS headquarters have been asked to contact the court’s media department and provide valid press credentials.

CAS said any further updates on the case will be published on its official website.