CAF to consider Senegal's appeal on October 8

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) will hear on October 8 an appeal filed by the Senegalese Football Federation against the African Union’s decision to award the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title to Morocco by default. In a statement issued the day before yesterday, CAS clarified: “Following the hearing, the arbitral panel will begin its deliberations. At this stage, the Court cannot determine the date of the decision, but it will not be issued on the same day as the hearing.”

The Africa Cup of Nations final, held on January 18 in Rabat between Morocco and Senegal, descended into chaos after the referee awarded a penalty to Morocco following a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review in stoppage time. A large number of Senegalese players, led by coach Babacar Tiao, left the pitch and did not return for approximately 15 minutes, while clashes erupted in the stands and on part of the field between Senegalese fans and security forces.

Ibrahim Diaz missed the penalty, but Bab Gueye scored in extra time to give Senegal a 1-0 victory. However, the African Union’s Appeals Body, acting on a complaint submitted by the Moroccan Federation, decided on March 17 to rule Senegal as having forfeited the final by withdrawing, and awarded the match to the Moroccan national team with a 3-0 scoreline. This is the decision that the Senegalese Federation is asking the Court of Arbitration for Sport to annul.