Senegal's AFCON Appeal Ruling Delayed Until November End by Sports Court

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) announced today, October 19, 2026, that its ruling on Senegal's appeal against the Confederation of African Football (CAF) decision, which awarded the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title to Morocco, is now expected by the end of November 2026, several weeks later than initially anticipated[1][8][10][11][16][22]. This decision impacts the outcome of a contentious final match, where Senegal initially defeated Morocco 1-0[5][26][28][30][31][32][33][34].

This delayed ruling keeps the African football community in suspense over who will officially claim the 2025 AFCON championship. The case challenges the integrity of tournament regulations and the authority of continental football governance, with significant implications for both national teams and their federations[1][8][10][11][16][22].

What the records show

CAS issued an update on October 19, 2026, stating that its three-member arbitration panel is still deliberating and plans to issue a complete ruling, known as a CAS Award, by the end of November 2026[1][8][10][11][16][21][22]. The CAS Award will include the legal grounds supporting their decision[21]. The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) lodged an appeal with CAS on March 25, 2026, against both CAF and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF)[12][13]. The FSF aims to overturn a CAF Appeal Board decision from March 17, 2026, which stripped Senegal of its on-field 1-0 victory and awarded Morocco a 3-0 forfeiture win, declaring them the 2025 AFCON champions[2][5][17]. CAF's ruling cited Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON regulations, which govern team conduct and forfeiture[5][7][19].

The timeline

The dispute originated from the 2025 AFCON final match on January 18, 2026, in Rabat, Morocco[5][26][28][30][31][32][33][34]. With the score tied 0-0 late in normal time, Morocco was awarded a penalty kick after Brahim Diaz went down in the box, a decision confirmed by a VAR review[5][15][20][26][28][30][31][32][33][34]. In protest, Senegal's head coach, Pape Thiaw, instructed his players to walk off the pitch, causing a delay of approximately 14 to 17 minutes[6][17][20][25][26][27][28][29][30]. Senegal's Sadio Mané is credited with urging his teammates to return to the field[6][29][30][31]. Upon their return, Brahim Diaz missed the penalty, and Senegal scored the winning goal in extra time through Pape Gueye[6][18][29][30][31].

Following the final, on January 19, 2026, CAF initiated disciplinary proceedings against Senegal, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino condemned the scenes[5][6][7][8][9][23]. On January 25, 2026, Senegalese goal-scorer Pape Gueye publicly admitted the walk-off was a “mistake”[18][29]. The CAF Appeal Board then overturned the match result on March 17, 2026, leading to Morocco being declared champions[2][17]. The FSF filed its appeal with CAS on March 25, 2026[12][13]. A closed-door hearing for the appeal was held at the CAS headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, on October 8, 2026[21]. CAS initially indicated a decision would be made “within days” of the hearing[21].

What changed and for whom

Senegal's on-field victory in the AFCON final was overturned by CAF, stripping them of the title they believed they had won[2][6][17][20]. Morocco was subsequently awarded the championship by forfeiture[2][3][5][6][7][17]. The CAF ruling also resulted in a reduced suspension for Moroccan midfielder Ismaël Saibari[1][2][4][18][24]. The FSF's appeal to CAS seeks to reverse CAF's decision and have Senegal declared the rightful champions[12][13].

What the subject has said publicly

Senegal's head coach, Pape Thiaw, ordered his players off the field in protest during the final[17]. Senegalese goal-scorer Pape Gueye later called the walk-off a “mistake” and credited Sadio Mané for encouraging the team to resume play[18][29]. The Senegalese government denounced CAF’s ruling as an “unjustified attempt at dispossession” and called for an “independent international investigation” into alleged corruption within CAF[4][9][10][11][12][14]. Matthieu Reeb, CAS Director General, affirmed the court’s ability to resolve such disputes swiftly and fairly[20][22][23]. FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated that Senegal's conduct during the final was “unacceptable”[23].

What we could not confirm

Details surrounding the alleged corruption within CAF, which the Senegalese government referenced in its call for an independent investigation, are not specified in the available records.