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Africa · Sport · Senegal / Morocco Source-checked
Court of Arbitration for Sport hears Senegal’s appeal over the AFCON title
Nine months after a chaotic final, the Court of Arbitration for Sport has heard Senegal's appeal against losing the Africa Cup of Nations title to Morocco. A verdict is expected within days.
Key facts
- The court opened its hearing on Thursday 8 October 2026, according to France 24.
- Senegal is appealing against the decision to strip it of the title it thought it won in January.
- France 24 says a verdict is expected within days, while the BBC says a decision should not be expected on the same day as the hearing.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has heard Senegal’s appeal in the long-running dispute over the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title. The BBC reports that the hearing was set for Thursday, and France 24 says a verdict on Senegal’s appeal against Morocco’s victory by default is expected within days. The BBC warned that a ruling would not come on the day of the hearing.
The BBC recalls that the final was played in Rabat in January in front of about 66,000 home fans. Late in stoppage time, with the match goalless, Senegal thought Ismaila Sarr had scored a winner, but the referee had already blown for a Moroccan free kick. In the 98th minute, after a video review, the referee gave Morocco a penalty. Senegal’s coach led some of his players and staff down the tunnel and fans clashed with security. Play resumed, and in the 124th minute Morocco’s Brahim Diaz missed the penalty with a Panenka-style chip that Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy caught. Pape Gueye then scored in extra time for a 1-0 Senegal win, and Senegal lifted the trophy.
The BBC says Senegal were later stripped of the title, and that some Senegal fans were initially convicted of hooliganism offences after clashes during the final. France 24 describes the title as having been awarded to Morocco by default. We have not read the original decision to strip the title, so the reasons given by the governing body are not described here.
The outcome matters to both countries. If the court upholds the appeal, Senegal would be restored as champion. If it rejects the appeal, Morocco would keep a first continental title since 1976.
The court has not yet published its decision.
Why it matters
The ruling will settle which country holds Africa's top football title, and it could shape how disputes over on-pitch events are handled in future tournaments.
What remains uncertain
We did not read the original decision to strip Senegal of the title, so the reasons are not given. The France 24 page we opened was a short programme summary. The timing of the verdict is an expectation, not an announced date.
Sources and references
- BBC Sport: Afcon final to play out in court - when will Morocco or Senegal be crowned champions? (2026-10-09)
- France 24 (programme page summary): Court of Arbitration for Sport hears Senegal's appeal over AFCON title (2026-10-09)
Each link goes to the specific article or document we used. Two articles carrying the same wire report count as one source.
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