AFCON 2025: the Morocco–Senegal CAS case explained

Published on September 29, 2026

On 8 October 2026, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) will hear one of the most closely followed cases in the history of African football: Senegal's appeal against CAF's decision to strip them of the AFCON 2025 title and award it to Morocco. What happened in the final? Why did CAF make this decision? What can CAS decide, and when? Here is everything you need to know, clearly and factually.

The key facts

18 January 2026: Senegal beat Morocco 1-0 after extra time in the final in Rabat, in a match marred by serious incidents.
17 March 2026: CAF's Appeal Board declares that Senegal forfeited the final and awards Morocco a 3-0 victory.
25 March 2026: CAS registers the appeal of the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF).
8 October 2026: CAS hearing in Lausanne.
Verdict: date not yet known.

What happened in the final?

The AFCON 2025 final was played on 18 January 2026 in Rabat, between hosts Morocco and Senegal. The match descended into chaos at the end of normal time, when Morocco were awarded a penalty after a VAR review in stoppage time.

Several incidents followed, including the Senegalese team temporarily leaving the pitch, as well as scuffles in the stands. The match eventually resumed and went to extra time, during which Senegal won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Pape Gueye.

The following day, CAF publicly condemned behaviour it described as unacceptable and announced disciplinary proceedings.

From the first sanctions to the 17 March decision

Step one: disciplinary sanctions. CAF's Disciplinary Board first imposed sanctions following the incidents. The Senegalese Football Federation accepted these decisions and did not appeal.

Step two: Morocco's appeal. On 3 February 2026, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) appealed against these sanctions, which it considered too lenient given the seriousness of the incidents.

Step three: the Appeal Board's decision. On 17 March 2026, CAF's Appeal Board overturned the Disciplinary Board's decision. It declared that Senegal had forfeited the final and confirmed the result as a 3-0 win for Morocco. Morocco thus officially became the 2025 African champions.

The positions of both sides

In Senegal, the decision caused widespread anger. The federation and many officials argue that a title won on the pitch cannot be taken away in this manner. The Senegalese government also called for an international investigation into CAF's leadership. The FSF took the case to CAS to have the decision overturned.

In Morocco, the federation reacted with restraint, stressing its commitment to respecting the rules and to the stability of African competitions. It considers that the incidents in the final justified a sanction proportionate to their seriousness.

What is Senegal asking CAS for?

According to CAS's official statement, the FSF's appeal asks for the annulment of CAF's decision declaring that Senegal forfeited the final, and for CAS to declare the FSF the winner of AFCON 2025.

How will the procedure work?

The hearing will take place on 8 October 2026 at CAS headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.
It will be held behind closed doors: the parties did not request a public hearing.
The parties did not agree to an expedited procedure.
No decision will be announced on the day of the hearing. After the hearing, the arbitrators will deliberate, and CAS has not yet said when the award will be issued.

CAS applies CAF and FIFA regulations first and, on a subsidiary basis, Swiss law. In the past, it has both overturned and upheld CAF decisions.

What can CAS decide?

Several outcomes are possible. CAS can notably:

uphold CAF's decision: Morocco would remain the 2025 African champions;
annul the decision, as Senegal requests, which could return the title to the Lions of Teranga;
issue a different ruling, depending on its assessment of the case.

It is impossible to predict the outcome: only the CAS arbitrators will decide, after examining the arguments of both parties.

Where to follow official information

CAS has stressed that only information published through its official channels is authoritative, and that any announcement about this case will be posted on its website. Be wary of false information circulating on social media.

This article will be updated after the 8 October hearing, and as soon as the CAS verdict is announced.

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