Senegal has filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) challenging the decision to overturn the Africa Cup of Nations final and strip the country of its title, according to official statements released on Wednesday.
CAS confirmed it had received the submission from the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF), which contests the ruling by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) that awarded the championship to Morocco. The appeal, CAS said, seeks to “set aside the CAF decision and declare the FSF winners of AFCON.”
The dispute stems from the January 18 final, where Senegal defeated Morocco 1–0 after extra time despite briefly leaving the pitch in protest over a controversial penalty decision. CAF later ruled that the walk-off constituted a breach of regulations, declaring the match forfeited and revising the result to a 3–0 victory for Morocco.
In its filing, Senegal is also requesting a suspension of the deadline to submit a full appeal brief until CAF provides detailed grounds for its decision, which the federation says were initially not fully disclosed.
CAS stated that an arbitral panel will be appointed to hear the case and a procedural timetable established, with Director General Matthieu Reeb noting the body will handle the matter “as swiftly as possible” while ensuring a fair process for all parties.
The case adds to mounting controversy surrounding the final, with Senegal maintaining that the original on-field result should stand and that the governing body’s ruling was unjust.
