AFCON 2025 Saga Goes to CAS: Senegal Battles for the Trophy in a Legal Showdown

CAS weighs in on AFCON 2025 saga

The AFCON final was marked by tensions and refereeing controversy. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) released an official statement on Wednesday regarding the AFCON 2025 dispute, after CAF stripped Senegal of the title and awarded it to the runners up, Morocco, citing the Senegalese team's withdrawal as a protest against the refereeing.

The international court confirmed receipt of an appeal from the Senegal Football Federation (FSF) against CAF and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF).

The appeal concerns CAF's 17 March 2026 decision, which ruled that the Senegal squad was a 3-0 loser for withdrawing in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco 2025, and that the Moroccan team won the match.

Senegal's appeal and CAS timetable

Added: Senegal's appeal was filed on 25 March 2026. The appeal seeks to overturn CAF's decision and declare the Senegalese side the AFCON winner, while requesting an immediate stay of any deadlines for filing the appeal so they can receive CAF's full reasoned decision.

The CAS said a panel would be appointed to hear the matter, and a procedural timetable would be set later. At this early stage, given the Senegalese union's request to suspend deadlines, no timetable or hearing date could be predicted.

Mathieu Reeb, CAS's Secretary General, said the arbitration court was fully prepared to resolve such disputes, with the help of expert, independent judges. He added that teams and fans are eager to know the final decision, and that proceedings would be completed as swiftly as possible, while ensuring a fair hearing for all parties.

Punchline 1: If justice is a goal, CAS will add stoppage time for good measure.

Punchline 2: In football, as in bureaucracy, the faster you want a decision, the longer the paperwork takes.