Senegal has filed an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport seeking to overturn a decision that stripped them of the Africa Cup of Nations title and awarded it to Morocco following a controversial final.
The Swiss-based court confirmed on Wednesday that it received the appeal lodged by the Senegalese Football Federation against the Confederation of African Football and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation.
Senegal is seeking to nullify CAF’s ruling issued on 17 March, which overturned their 1-0 victory in the AFCON final and instead awarded Morocco a 3-0 win.
CAS director general Matthieu Reeb said the case would be handled as quickly as possible while ensuring fairness.
“We understand that teams and fans are eager to know the final decision,” Reeb said, adding that all parties would be given a fair hearing.
Controversial final sparks disciplinary action
The dispute stems from events during the AFCON final played on 18 January, where Senegal initially secured a 1-0 victory after extra time.
The turning point came late in normal time when referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a penalty following a VAR review involving Brahim Díaz and Senegal defender El Hadji Malick Diouf.
The decision triggered protests from Senegal players, who briefly walked off the pitch, halting the match for nearly 20 minutes. Tensions escalated further as some supporters attempted to invade the field.
Play eventually resumed after intervention from captain Sadio Mané. Díaz’s penalty was saved before Senegal went on to score in extra time through Pape Gueye.
Despite the result, CAF ruled that the walk-off breached tournament regulations, leading to disciplinary action against Senegal.
Morocco awarded title after CAF ruling
CAF’s decision converted Senegal’s victory into a 3-0 defeat, effectively handing Morocco the title.
The Moroccan federation defended its appeal, stating it was based on enforcing competition rules rather than challenging the sporting outcome.
CAF president Patrice Motsepe said the governing body supports the right of member associations to appeal decisions and would respect the outcome reached by CAS.
Meanwhile, Gianni Infantino criticized the conduct of Senegal players during the final, describing the scenes as unacceptable.
The case has drawn widespread attention across the football world, raising questions about officiating decisions, player conduct and regulatory enforcement in major tournaments.
As the legal process unfolds, both teams are preparing for international friendlies ahead of upcoming global competitions.
Senegal is scheduled to face Peru in Paris, while Morocco, now under new coach Mohamed Ouahbi, will take on Ecuador and Paraguay.
The outcome of the CAS ruling could have significant implications for African football, with fans and stakeholders awaiting a final decision that may redefine the conclusion of one of the continent’s most disputed finals.
