Senegal’s appeal over stripping of AFCON title to be heard by CAS in October

A hearing date has been set for Senegal’s bid to be reinstated as winners of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Senegal initially beat hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time in Rabat on January 18 but were stripped of the title 57 days later in March after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) ruled that they had forfeited the match.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) confirmed on Friday that the hearing will take place at its headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, on October 8 and will be held behind closed doors after none of the parties requested that it be made public.

The Senegalese Football Federation’s (FSF) appeal against CAF and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), was registered on March 25. It is asking CAS to overturn CAF’s decision and declare Senegal the winners of AFCON 2025.

A ruling will not be delivered on the day of the hearing and CAS has not indicated when a final decision is expected.

CAS said the parties had not agreed to expedite the procedure, meaning the case is following the court’s standard timetable.

Senegal’s players left the pitch during second-half stoppage time of the final after Morocco were awarded a penalty following a VAR review, shortly after Senegal had a goal disallowed.

Head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw instructed his players to leave the field before captain Sadio Mane persuaded them to return following a delay of around 14 minutes.

Morocco’s Brahim Diaz subsequently missed the penalty before Pape Gueye scored the only goal four minutes into extra time.

CAF’s disciplinary board rejected Morocco’s initial forfeiture request on January 28 but imposed sanctions over the incident.

The Senegalese federation was fined a total of $615,000, while Thiaw received a five-match suspension and a $100,000 fine. Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaila Sarr were each suspended for two CAF matches.

CAF’s appeal board overturned that decision on March 17, ruled that Senegal had breached tournament regulations by leaving the pitch without the referee’s permission and recorded the final as a 3-0 victory for Morocco.