The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is expected to deliver its verdict on Senegal’s appeal against the withdrawal of its Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title by the end of November 2026.
CAS announced this on Monday, confirming that a hearing on the dispute was held behind closed doors at its headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, on 8 October. The arbitration body said its panel of arbitrators had begun deliberations and would continue reviewing the case before issuing a final ruling. <Cite refs={[“turn201992news24″,”turn201992search2”]}/>
According to CAS, the decision will include the legal grounds for its judgment in a document known as a CAS Award, a process expected to take several weeks.
Senegal originally won the AFCON final against Morocco 1–0 on 18 January 2026 in Rabat, with Pape Gueye scoring the decisive goal in extra time.
However, the match was disrupted towards the end of regulation time after the referee awarded Morocco a penalty while the score remained goalless. Several Senegalese players walked off the pitch in protest, while some supporters attempted to invade the playing area.
The match was delayed for nearly 20 minutes before the Senegalese players returned to continue the game. Morocco subsequently missed the penalty, and Senegal secured victory through Gueye’s extra-time goal.
In March, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeal Board overturned the result, ruling that Senegal had forfeited the match under the tournament regulations. Morocco was consequently awarded a 3–0 victory and the continental title. <Cite refs={[“turn201992search0″,”turn201992search9”]}/>
Senegal challenged the decision at CAS, seeking to have CAF’s ruling overturned and its original victory restored.
The October hearing considered arguments from Senegal, Morocco and CAF. CAS said it had decided to issue a comprehensive ruling outlining both its decision and the legal reasoning behind it.
The anticipated verdict at the end of November is expected to determine the outcome of Senegal’s appeal and whether Morocco retains the title awarded to it by CAF.
