The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has scheduled a hearing for 8 October 2026 in the high-profile legal battle that could determine the rightful winners of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
In a statement released on Friday, CAS confirmed that the hearing involving the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF), the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) will take place at its headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.
The case centres on CAF’s decision to award Morocco the 2025 AFCON title after ruling that Senegal had forfeited the final, with the result officially recorded as a 3-0 victory for the hosts.
CAS said the appeal, which was registered on 25 March 2026, seeks to overturn CAF’s ruling and have Senegal declared African champions instead.
“The hearing will take place on 8 October 2026 at CAS headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland,” the court said, adding that the parties had not agreed to fast-track the proceedings.
Because no expedited process was agreed, the case has followed the standard CAS procedural timetable. The hearing date was fixed following consultations with all parties, who also requested that proceedings remain private. As a result, the hearing will be held behind closed doors.
CAS stressed that no verdict will be delivered on the day of the hearing, with the arbitration panel expected to begin deliberations only after proceedings conclude.
The Lausanne-based court also urged caution over speculation surrounding the case.
“CAS is aware of incorrect information circulating online about this procedure and subsequently being reported. Only information provided through CAS channels is considered official,” the statement read.
A dispute that could rewrite AFCON history
The legal battle stems from one of the most controversial finals in Africa Cup of Nations history.
Senegal defeated Morocco 1-0 after extra time in the final on 18 January 2025, with Pape Gueye scoring the decisive goal after Brahim Diaz had seen a stoppage-time penalty saved.
However, the match descended into chaos when Senegal’s players briefly walked off the pitch following the award of Morocco’s late penalty, causing a delay of around 17 minutes before play resumed.
CAF’s Appeal Board later overturned the on-field result, ruling that Senegal had forfeited the match under Articles 82 and 84 of the tournament regulations. Morocco’s protest was upheld and the final officially recorded as a 3-0 victory for the hosts, handing them the continental title.
The ruling also dealt with several incidents surrounding the match, including sanctions relating to ball-boy conduct, laser interference and activity around the VAR review area, while imposing and reducing various financial penalties.
Senegal rejects CAF ruling
Senegal strongly rejected CAF’s decision, describing it as “unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable” and vowing to exhaust every legal avenue available.
When CAS confirmed receipt of the appeal in March, it revealed that Senegal had requested the CAF decision be set aside and the AFCON title awarded to the Teranga Lions.
At the time, Senegal also asked CAS to suspend the deadline for filing its detailed appeal until CAF provided the full written reasons behind its ruling, arguing that only the operative decision had initially been communicated.
With a hearing now scheduled for October, the case moves into its decisive phase, although CAS has made clear that a final ruling will only be delivered after the arbitration panel has completed its deliberations.
Should Senegal succeed, the verdict would overturn one of the most contentious decisions in African football history and rewrite the official record of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
