5 Occasions CAS Overturned CAF Rulings as Senegal Files Appeal

• The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is now set to rule on AFCON 2025 following Senegal’s official appeal
• The West African nation is seeking to have CAF’s Appeals Board decision overturned after the title was awarded to Morocco
• YEN.com.gh revisits several instances where CAS overturned CAF rulings, as Senegal hopes for a similar outcome at the Swiss-based court

The battle over who truly won the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has now officially reached the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

CAS has confirmed receipt of Senegal’s appeal, with the nation’s football federation requesting that the court overturn CAF’s decision to strip them of the title and instead recognise them as the rightful champions.

A ruling is not expected anytime soon, as Senegal must first submit its full appeal brief before CAF and Morocco are given time to respond with their counterarguments.

5 times CAS overturned CAF decisions

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While the process unfolds, history shows this is far from the first time CAF decisions have been challenged at the highest level.

Here, YEN.com.gh revisits notable cases where CAS overturned CAF rulings—offering Senegal hope for a similar outcome.

5. Togo national team bus attack (2010)

If the Senegal vs Morocco AFCON 2025 dispute seems unprecedented, history suggests otherwise.

In 2010, Togo’s team bus was attacked in Cabinda, Angola, just two days before the AFCON tournament, resulting in the deaths of three individuals, including the assistant coach and media officer, per The Guardian.

In response, the Togolese government ordered the traumatised squad to return home, effectively withdrawing from the competition.

CAF subsequently banned Togo from the next two AFCON tournaments, citing “government interference.” Togo appealed to CAS, and following intervention from then FIFA President Sepp Blatter, the ban was ultimately lifted.

4. Morocco AFCON ban (2015)

Turning to one of the current respondents, Morocco faced CAF sanctions in 2015 after refusing to host AFCON due to fears surrounding the Ebola outbreak.

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CAF stripped the country of hosting rights, banned them from the next two tournaments, and imposed a fine of £6 million, citing costs incurred from relocating the competition to Equatorial Guinea on short notice.

However, CAS ruled in Morocco’s favour, allowing the Atlas Lions to participate in the 2017 and 2019 tournaments while also significantly reducing the financial penalties.

3. Espérance vs Wydad CAF final (2019)

A similar walk-off scenario unfolded in 2019 during the CAF Champions League final between Espérance Sportive de Tunis and Wydad Athletic Club, per The Arab Weekly.

Wydad players left the pitch in protest after what they believed to be a legitimate equaliser was ruled offside, compounded by the failure of VAR technology.

The referee initially declared Espérance winners, but CAF later ordered a replay at a neutral venue.

CAS intervened, criticising CAF for overturning the referee’s decision and instructing a review of the case. Ultimately, Espérance were confirmed as winners after it was determined that Wydad had abandoned the match.

2. USM Alger vs RS Berkane (2024)

In 2024, USM Alger refused to play their CAF Confederation Cup semi-final matches against RS Berkane after their opponents wore shirts featuring a map of the disputed Western Sahara region.

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CAF awarded Berkane two 3-0 victories—a decision upheld by all internal CAF bodies, including the Appeals Board—prompting both USM Alger and the Algerian Federation to escalate the matter to CAS.

The appellants argued that Berkane had violated CAF regulations by displaying political messaging.

After a prolonged legal process, CAS ruled in 2025 that Berkane had no right to wear the shirts and criticised CAF for failing to enforce its own rules. However, the ruling did not alter the match outcomes, as Zamalek had already defeated Berkane in the final.

1. Samuel Eto’o vs CAF (2025)

Former football star turned administrator Samuel Eto’o also successfully challenged CAF at CAS in 2025.

CAF had barred the ex-Barcelona striker from running for a seat on the CAF Executive Committee, citing alleged improper conduct.

CAS overturned the decision, ordering CAF to reinstate Eto’o as a candidate after determining that sufficient evidence had been presented in his favour.

“It is ordered that the CAF Executive Committee includes Mr Samuel Eto’o Fils in the list of candidates for election to the CAF Executive Committee by the CAF Extraordinary General Assembly Meeting on 12 March 2025,” read part of the CAS ruling.

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Stubborn academy: Senegal players react to CAF's decision with bold statement

Senegal players respond to CAF AFCON ruling

Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported that Senegalese players have sent a clear message to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), publicly rejecting the decision that stripped them of the 2025 AFCON title.

The ‘positive’ defiance underlines their firm stance on the controversial CAF verdict, which continues to divide opinion among fans, pundits, and key stakeholders in the game.

Source: YEN.com.gh