CAS Releases Statement After Senegal Lodges Appeal Against CAF Decision
- The Court of Arbitration of Sports has, for the first time, spoken about the controversial issue of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
- Senegal filed an appeal with the Swiss-based court, the highest sports court in the land, eight days after they were stripped of the title
- The country's federation has asked the court for two major things ahead of the legal battle over the most contested AFCON final ever
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Senegal has officially begun the process of trying to reclaim the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title after it was controversially handed to Morocco.
It has been just over a week since CAF’s Appeals Board stripped Senegal of the crown, 58 days after they had defeated Morocco in a heated final in Rabat.
Source: Getty Images
Pape Gueye’s goal had initially secured victory for Senegal, but the match was overshadowed by a prolonged stoppage during which the Teranga Lions had refused to continue playing.
The 2021 champions stormed off the pitch in protest of the decision to award Morocco a late penalty.
CAF's Appeals Board, in the ruling published on its website, determined that Senegal had effectively forfeited the match, awarding Morocco a 3-0 win.
The Teranga Lions strongly opposed the verdict, insisting they would escalate the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), a move they formally made on March 25.
What Senegal want after AFCON 2025 appeal
In a statement released on Wednesday, March 25, CAS confirmed that it had received Senegal’s appeal, naming both CAF and Morocco’s Football Federation as respondents in the case.
The Senegal Football Federation (FSF) is seeking to have the decision overturned and the AFCON title restored to them.
They have also requested additional time to submit their full appeal, arguing that CAF has yet to provide the complete written grounds for its ruling.
“The FSF appeal seeks to set aside the CAF decision and declare the FSF winners of AFCON. It also requests an immediate suspension of the time limit to submit an appeal brief until the CAF decision is notified with full grounds. The CAF decision rendered on [March 17, 2026] was operative only.”
Source: Getty Images
When will CAS rule on AFCON 2025?
CAS will now appoint a panel to hear the case, with Senegal given 20 days to submit their full appeal brief.
The respondents will then have a further 20 days to present their defence.
However, CAS has indicated that it is not yet possible to outline a clear timeline for the proceedings or confirm when a hearing will take place, suggesting that a final decision may take some time.
“CAS is perfectly equipped to resolve this type of dispute, with the assistance of expert and independent arbitrators. We understand that teams and fans are eager to know the final decision, and we will ensure that arbitration proceedings are conducted as swiftly as possible, while respecting the right of all parties to a fair hearing,” said CAS Director General, Matthieu Reeb via GOAL.
Senegal players respond to CAF's AFCON ruling
Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that Senegalese players had sent a message to CAF, publicly rejecting the decision that stripped them of the 2025 AFCON title.
The defiance underlines their firm stance on the controversial verdict, which continues to divide opinion among fans, pundits, and stakeholders in the game.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
