CAS is reviewing an appeal from Senegal’s federation, filed March 25, against CAF’s Appeals Board decision on March 17, 2026, which reversed an earlier ruling, voided Senegal’s extra-time AFCON final win, and awarded Morocco a 3-0 forfeiture victory over the on-field walk-off—leaving Morocco’s title status unresolved.
The hearing, held behind closed doors, will not produce an immediate verdict. CAS has stated that deliberations will follow before any final ruling is issued, and the body has described the procedural timeline as uncertain given the complex exchange of written submissions required before a decision can be reached.
Late in stoppage time of the final, the referee awarded Morocco a penalty, prompting several Senegalese players and staff, including head coach Pape Thiaw, to walk off the field in protest. Play eventually resumed, Morocco’s Brahim Díaz missed the penalty, and Senegal’s Pape Gueye scored in extra time to seal the win on the pitch.
CAF’s Disciplinary Committee initially upheld Senegal’s victory, issuing fines and sanctions to individuals from both federations. However, after an appeal from the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, CAF’s Appeals Board reversed course on 17 March 2026, voiding Senegal’s win and awarding Morocco a 3-0 forfeiture victory.
The board cited Articles 82 and 84 of AFCON competition regulations, which classify leaving the field without referee authorization as grounds for elimination and forfeiture.
Senegal’s federation swiftly condemned the decision, calling it “unjust, unprecedented, and intolerable” and a “travesty” that threatens the integrity of African football. On 25 March 2026, the federation lodged its appeal with CAS, seeking to have Senegal declared AFCON champion and the CAF ruling overturned entirely.
Until CAS delivers its ruling, CAF records list Morocco as African champion with a 3-0 scoreline, though this stands pending confirmation or reversal. Amid the ongoing dispute, coach Walid Regragui has continued preparing his Morocco national team squad as though the title remains firmly in hand. African football leadership has publicly committed to respecting and executing whatever decision CAS ultimately reaches, positioning the Lausanne-based court as the final arbiter of an already extraordinary chapter in AFCON history.
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