Senegal file AFCON dispute at CAS against CAF
Senegal have taken their dispute with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), formally appealing the decision to strip them of their Africa Cup of Nations title and hand it to Morocco.
The Confederation of African Football overturned the result of the January 18 final, where Senegal defeated Morocco 1-0 after extra time, following a successful protest lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football.
CAF’s Appeals Committee ruled that Senegal’s late-game walk-off — which lasted 17 minutes and came after a stoppage-time penalty was awarded to Morocco — breached tournament regulations.
Under Article 82 of AFCON rules, any team that refuses to continue play or leaves the pitch without the referee’s approval is deemed to have forfeited the match. On that basis, CAF awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory, sealing their first AFCON triumph in five decades.
The ruling sparked widespread debate across the continent, with Senegal now seeking to overturn the decision through legal channels.
A member of the Senegalese Football Federation’s executive committee, Moussa Mbaye, confirmed that the appeal has been filed, insisting the country is proceeding with careful deliberation.
“We don’t act with emotion, but in a very cold and very lucid manner to best serve the interests of Senegal,” declared Moussa Mbaye.
The case will now be examined by CAS, sport’s highest judicial authority, which will assess both the legal and procedural grounds of CAF’s decision.
The outcome could have significant implications, not only for the final’s disputed result but also for how future controversies involving major continental titles are resolved.
