AFCON dispute: CAS assures Senegal, Morocco of fair hearing

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The Court of Arbitration for Sport has said it will deliver a decision “as swiftly as possible” after the Senegal national football team lodged an appeal over the controversial outcome of the Africa Cup of Nations final against the Moroccan national football team.

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Senegal were initially crowned champions after securing a 1–0 victory in the final played on 18 January.

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However, the match descended into controversy in stoppage time when Morocco were awarded a late penalty.

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In protest, Senegal’s players briefly walked off the pitch before eventually returning to complete the game.

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Following a complaint from the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, the Confederation of African Football reviewed the incident and ruled that Senegal had forfeited the match.

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CAF subsequently overturned the result, awarding a 3–0 victory to Morocco and handing them the continental title.

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Senegal have strongly contested the decision and taken their case to CAS, sport’s highest arbitration body, in a bid to have the original result reinstated and the title returned.

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CAS director general Matthieu Reeb, in a statement on Wednesday, acknowledged the urgency of the case, saying: “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.”

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CAS also confirmed there is currently no set timeline for a verdict.

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Former CAF disciplinary panel head Raymond Hack suggested the process could be lengthy, telling BBC World Service it “could take another six months to conclude,” raising the possibility that the case may run alongside major upcoming international tournaments.

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For now, Morocco remain the official champions, but the final outcome of the disputed final will depend on CAS’s ruling.

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