CAS sets October 8 hearing for Senegal’s 2025 AFCON final appeal

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has set October 8, 2026, as the date for a hearing concerning the Senegalese Football Federation's appeal against the outcome of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final. The dispute centers on the Confederation of African Football's (CAF) decision to declare Senegal's Teranga Lions as having forfeited the match and to award Morocco a 3-0 victory.

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The Court of Arbitration for Sport confirms a hearing has been scheduled for the procedure between the Senegalese Football Federation against the Confederation of African Football and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation concerning the final of the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025.

Senegal's appeal, registered in March 2026, not only seeks to overturn the forfeiture but also to be declared the tournament winners. The hearing will take place at CAS headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland. This case involves the Senegalese Football Federation, CAF, and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation.

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The Parties did not agree to expedite this procedure, which is therefore following a standard timeline according to CAS procedural rules.

CAS has indicated that the procedure will follow a standard timeline, as the parties involved did not agree to an expedited process. The hearing is scheduled to be held behind closed doors, as no party requested a public session. Following the arguments presented, the CAS panel will begin deliberations, but a final decision is not expected on the same day as the hearing.

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This means it will take place behind closed doors.

The controversy stems from the final match played in Rabat on January 18, 2026. The game was disrupted in stoppage time when a penalty was awarded to Morocco after a VAR review. Senegal's players protested by walking off the pitch and remained off for approximately 14 minutes before eventually returning.

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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.