CAS Confirms Senegal 2025 AFCON Title Appeal

CAS Confirms Senegal 2025 AFCON Title Appeal

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has confirmed receipt of an appeal filed by Senegal national football team challenging a decision by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to strip the country of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title.

In a statement issued from its headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, CAS disclosed that the appeal was submitted on Wednesday by the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF), seeking to overturn the ruling of CAF’s appeal board.

Senegal had initially clinched the AFCON 2025 title with a 1-0 victory after extra time in a dramatic final against hosts Morocco national football team. The match was, however, marred by controversy after Senegal players staged a brief walkout to protest a penalty awarded to Morocco, which was ultimately missed.

Following the match, Morocco’s football authorities petitioned CAF, citing relevant provisions to demand that the title be awarded to them via forfeiture. CAF’s appeal board subsequently ruled in favour of Morocco, overturning Senegal’s victory.

Dissatisfied with the decision, Senegal has now approached CAS, asking the court to nullify CAF’s ruling and reinstate it as the rightful champion of the tournament.

According to CAS, “the FSF appeal seeks to set aside the CAF decision and declare the FSF winners of AFCON.” The federation also requested a suspension of the timeline for filing its full appeal brief until it receives the detailed grounds of CAF’s decision.

CAS confirmed that both CAF and Morocco have been listed as respondents in the case and that an arbitral panel will be constituted to hear the matter. However, no date has been fixed for proceedings due to Senegal’s request for additional time.

Director General of CAS, Matthieu Reeb, assured that the body is prepared to handle the dispute.

“CAS is perfectly equipped to resolve this type of dispute, with the assistance of expert and independent arbitrators,” he said, adding that the process would be conducted “as swiftly as possible, while respecting the right of all parties to a fair hearing.”

The outcome of the case is expected to determine the final status of the AFCON 2025 title, as fans and stakeholders across Africa await a definitive ruling.