Senegal and Morocco Take AFCON Title Dispute to CAS as Verdict Nears

LAUSANNE, Switzerland — The battle over the Africa Cup of Nations title between Senegal and Morocco has reached sport's highest arbitration court, nearly nine months after a chaotic final in Rabat left the championship surrounded by controversy.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) heard Senegal's appeal on Thursday against the decision by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to strip the team of its title and declare Morocco the winner.

CAS Director General Matthieu Reeb said the court expects to issue a reasoned decision within days, although no specific date has been announced.

The dispute stems from the January 18 final, in which Senegal defeated hosts Morocco 1–0 after extra time. The match was interrupted late in regulation time when Senegal's players temporarily left the field in protest after Morocco were awarded a penalty.

Morocco's Brahim Díaz subsequently failed to convert the penalty, before Senegal returned to the field and completed the match. Pape Gueye later scored the decisive goal in extra time, initially giving Senegal the continental title.

CAF overturns Senegal's victory

The result was later challenged by Morocco, and CAF's Appeal Board ruled in March that Senegal had forfeited the final because its players had left the field without the referee's authorisation.

CAF subsequently recorded the match as a 3–0 victory for Morocco, effectively transferring the AFCON title to the hosts.

Senegal rejected the decision and appealed to CAS, asking the Swiss-based court to overturn CAF's ruling and restore Senegal as the tournament winners. CAS formally registered the appeal on March 25.

Referee's role under scrutiny

One of the central issues in Senegal's case is the role of Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala, who officiated the final.

Senegal's legal argument is expected to focus partly on the referee's decision to allow the match to resume after the temporary walk-off. The Laws of the Game provide that referees have final authority over decisions concerning facts connected with play, while CAF's tournament regulations contain separate provisions concerning teams leaving the field.

That intersection between the Laws of the Game and CAF's competition regulations is expected to be an important part of the legal dispute.

Ndala had been appointed by CAF to referee the final and was among the officials selected for the tournament's opening match as well.

A decision that could settle the title dispute

The CAS hearing was conducted behind closed doors before a three-member panel. Representatives of Senegal, Morocco and CAF presented their arguments before the judges began deliberations.

Senegal's delegation has expressed confidence in the legal process, while Morocco's representatives did not comment publicly following the hearing.

The case has attracted considerable attention because the CAS decision could finally determine whether Senegal's victory on the pitch stands or whether Morocco's 3–0 award remains the official result.

With the court expected to rule within days, the long-running dispute is approaching its decisive stage.

For Senegal and Morocco, the outcome will determine more than the result of one controversial final. It will settle the official ownership of one of African football's most fiercely contested titles.