The Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) says it will issue its decision at the end of November 2026 on Senegal’s appeal against the removal of their Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) title.
Senegal are challenging the Confederation of African Football (Caf) ruling that made Morocco champions, despite beating the hosts 1-0 after extra time in January’s final in Rabat.
The case was heard in Lausanne on 8 October, when Cas considered submissions from Senegal, Morocco and Caf. The court had initially indicated that a decision would follow within days, but has now confirmed it will publish a full ruling, including the legal reasoning, known as a Cas Award.
“This process will require several weeks, with the Cas Award expected at the end of November 2026,” Cas said in a statement on Monday.
The dispute centres on events late in normal time during the final. Senegal left the pitch for 14 minutes after a penalty was awarded against them, with several players going to the dressing room in protest before returning to the field.
Morocco failed to score from the spot-kick and the match went into extra time. Senegal then scored the decisive goal to win the final.
Two months later, however, Caf’s Appeal Board ruled that Senegal had forfeited the match because of the walk-off. It overturned the result and awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory, removing Senegal’s title.
Senegal lodged an appeal with Cas, sport’s highest court, on March 25. The case was not heard until about six months later. Senegal’s position is based largely on the argument that the referee’s decision is final and that he allowed the match to continue to its conclusion.
Cas director general Matthieu Reeb acknowledged the wait for a decision when speaking outside the hearing earlier this month.
“I know it’s a long wait for the fans a few months after the final between Senegal and Morocco,” he said.
“I expect the decision to come not today, not tomorrow, but a few days later. The facts are set, are clear and the discussions will be on some procedural issues and legal aspects.”
The panel is chaired by French sports law expert Gerald Simon. He is joined by Italian international law professor Luigi Fumagalli and Ulrich Haas, a Hamburg-based attorney and professor of law at the University of Zurich.
Cas decisions are known as awards and carry the same value as a national court judgement. They can be enforced under the New York Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards.
Depending on the circumstances, enforcement may be carried out by sports federations or state courts.
