AFCON 2025: CAS fixes date for final ruling on Morocco vs Senegal dispute

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Monday announced that it will deliver its final ruling by the end of November 2026 on Senegal’s appeal against the decision to award Morocco the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title.

Senegal are challenging a Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeal Board ruling that overturned their 1-0 victory over Morocco in January and awarded the hosts a 3-0 win by default.

In a statement. CAS said its panel had begun deliberations following a closed-door hearing at its headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, on October 8.

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“The CAS arbitrators have decided to issue a complete ruling which includes legal grounds, known as a CAS Award,” the court said. “This process will require several weeks, with the CAS Award expected at the end of November 2026.”

The timeline extends the wait for a final decision after CAS Director General Matthieu Reeb reportedly told reporters on October 8 that he expected a ruling within days, according to Reuters.

The dispute stems from the January 18 final in Rabat, where Senegal defeated hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time to win the continental title.

The match was delayed for about 15 minutes after Senegal’s players walked off the pitch in protest against a penalty awarded to Morocco late in regulation time. Play eventually resumed, but Morocco’s Brahim Diaz missed the spot kick before Pape Gueye scored the decisive goal for Senegal in extra time.

Following an appeal by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), CAF’s Appeal Board overturned the result on March 17. It ruled that Senegal had breached Article 82 of the AFCON competition regulations and applied Article 84 to award Morocco a 3-0 victory by default, crowning the Atlas Lions champions.

The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) subsequently appealed to CAS on March 25, seeking to overturn CAF’s decision and have Senegal reinstated as champions.