The Royal Moroccan Football Federation and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) have rejected Senegal’s request to fast-track proceedings in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final dispute, currently before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
The decision means the case is expected to follow the standard CAS timeline, delaying a final verdict until after the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
On March 26, Senegal Football Federation lawyer Serge Vitouz explained that CAS cases typically take between nine and twelve months to conclude, but noted that an expedited process could be considered if all parties agreed.
What comes next
“Court of Arbitration for Sport proceedings usually take between 9 and 12 months. The idea is to request an expedited procedure. But all parties must agree to this procedure,” Vitouz said.
He added that a faster ruling could have delivered clarity within two months, but only if CAF and the Moroccan federation supported the request.
“We will see the positions of the other parties, namely the Confederation of African Football and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation. If the expedited procedure is accepted, we could get a ruling within two months,” he added.
However, journalist Romain Molina has since reported that no fast-track process will be adopted, meaning the final ruling is now expected after the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup, which runs from June 11 to July 19.
Morocco Stance
As it stands, Morocco will head into the tournament as Africa’s reigning champions pending the final CAS verdict, while Senegal remain in legal limbo as runners-up in the disputed final.
The controversy stems from the AFCON final held in Rabat on January 18, where Senegal initially celebrated victory after a decisive extra-time goal from Pape Gueye.
However, tensions erupted during the match after Senegal players briefly protested a penalty decision awarded to Morocco, leading to a dramatic escalation of post-match proceedings.
Following an appeal by the Moroccan federation, CAF’s Appeals Committee ruled in Morocco’s favour on March 17, awarding them the title and intensifying the dispute.
Senegal have since taken the case to CAS, where the final decision will determine the official outcome of one of African football’s most controversial recent finals.
For now, the football world must wait with the final verdict now pushed far beyond the pitch and into the aftermath of the World Cup.
