The Court of Arbitration for Sport has postponed its verdict on Senegal’s appeal over the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title, announcing that a fully reasoned decision will not arrive until late November 2026. The continental trophy remains in limbo while arbitrators examine the walkout controversy that overturned Senegal’s victory over Morocco.
Football federations across Africa must wait another month for closure on the dispute in recent continental competition. The Court of Arbitration for Sport confirmed in a statement that its panel needs several weeks to draft a comprehensive ruling complete with legal reasoning.
CAS hears Senegal’s AFCON appealThe Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has heard Senegal’s appeal against CAF’s decision to award Morocco the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title. A final ruling is expected in the coming days, although CAS has not confirmed a date. pic.twitter.com/wX4jjZ1fz5
That timeline extends an already protracted wait for fans and officials. The case centres on the chaotic January 18 final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, where Senegal defeated tournament hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time.
Senegalese Players Walk off Pitch During Rabat Final
The fixture appeared to end in triumph for the Teranga Lions when Pape Gueye scored the decisive goal in extra time. Yet the match was deeply fractured long before the extra-time winner.
Late in regulation time with the score goalless, the referee awarded Morocco a penalty. The decision triggered immediate fury from the Senegalese side. Players walked off the pitch in protest, creating a delay while officials intervened, accompanied by a brief attempt at a pitch invasion by supporters in the stands.
When play resumed, Brahim Diaz failed to convert the spot-kick for Morocco, allowing the match to drag into the extra period where Senegal found their winning goal.
CAF Awards Morocco Victory After Senegalese Walkout
The celebration on the pitch proved short-lived. In March, the Confederation of African Football overturned the original result, citing competition regulations to rule that the temporary walkout constituted an unauthorized abandonment. The appeal board awarded Morocco a 3-0 default victory and the championship.
The Senegalese Football Federation rejected that intervention and filed a formal appeal with CAS on March 25, arguing that the referee’s decisions on the pitch were final and that play had legally resumed.
Representatives from Senegal, Morocco, and CAF presented their arguments behind closed doors on October 8 at CAS headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Former South Africa head coach Hugo Broos expressed support for Morocco and the CAF appeal board’s handling of the disciplinary matter during the earlier stages of the controversy. Broos made the comments in March while he was still in charge of South Africa’s national team, and his previous backing of the North African side drew renewed attention as the legal proceedings unfolded.
CAS to rule on Senegal-Morocco AFCON title dispute in NovemberThe Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) says it will rule on the disputed 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final between Senegal and Morocco by the end of November.The Swiss-based tribunal announced the timeline… pic.twitter.com/L7u1IyKuTn
Senegalese Football Federation Secretary General Abdoulaye Sow expressed optimism following the closed-door proceedings, while the Moroccan delegation maintained public silence outside the tribunal.
CAS Will Issue Complete Ruling in Late November
While the court initially suggested a verdict might emerge within days of the hearing, the tribunal shifted course to issue a comprehensive legal document rather than a summary judgment.
The CAS arbitrators have decided to issue a complete ruling which includes legal grounds, known as a CAS Award. This process will require several weeks, with the CAS Award expected at the end of November 2026.
Court of Arbitration for Sport, official statement via Punch Newspapers
CAS Director General Matthieu Reeb acknowledged the ongoing public frustration during proceedings in Switzerland, noting that the core discussions centred on procedural and legal aspects.
If the tribunal rules in favour of Senegal, the Teranga Lions will recover the trophy they earned on the night in Rabat. If the appeal is dismissed, Morocco will maintain the 3-0 default victory and remain the official champions of the tournament.
CAS Verdict On Senegal AFCON Title Appeal ‘Expected End Of November’The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) announced Monday that a verdict on Senegal’s appeal of the decision to strip them of the Africa Cup of Nations title in favour of Morocco is expected at the end of…