Senegal appeal to CAS against handing over of AFCON title to Morocco

Lausanne, Switzerland – Senegal have taken their fight for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations crown to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, formally challenging the Confederation of African Football’s decision to award the trophy to Morocco after a chaotic final in Rabat on 18 January.

The Senegalese Football Federation filed the appeal on Wednesday, CAS confirmed, asking the tribunal to annul CAF’s 17 March ruling that transformed Senegal’s hard-fought 1-0 extra-time victory into a 3-0 forfeit loss. If successful, the move would restore the Lions of Teranga as two-time continental champions and strip hosts Morocco of a title they did not secure on the pitch.

The controversy stems from the dying seconds of normal time, when Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala used VAR to review a challenge by Senegal defender El Hadji Malick Diouf on Morocco winger Brahim Diaz and pointed to the spot. Incensed, Senegalese players left the field and supporters spilled toward the pitch, halting play for almost 20 minutes. Captain Sadio Mane eventually persuaded his teammates to continue, and goalkeeper saved Diaz’s penalty before Pape Gueye struck in extra time to seemingly clinch Senegal’s second AFCON, adding to their 2022 triumph.

CAF’s disciplinary arm later upheld Morocco’s protest, citing tournament regulations against teams abandoning the field. The decision flipped the result, promoted Morocco to champions, and provoked fierce debate across African football.

CAS Director General Matthieu Reeb acknowledged the urgency of the matter, pledging “swift” proceedings while safeguarding due process for all parties. CAF president Patrice Motsepe reiterated the governing body’s respect for CAS’s authority, and FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who witnessed the scenes in Rabat, had earlier labelled the walk-off “unacceptable.”

The Moroccan federation, while welcoming the revised outcome, insisted its appeal sought only regulatory compliance, not a diminishment of Senegal’s sporting performance. Senegal, meanwhile, remain adamant that the final whistle confirmed them as rightful winners and have now turned to sport’s highest legal forum for vindication.

Both nations return to action this week in friendlies ahead of World Cup preparations. Senegal meet Peru at Paris’s Stadium of France on Saturday, while a new-look Morocco under freshly appointed coach Mohamed Ouahbi face Ecuador in Madrid on Friday before tackling Paraguay in Lens on 31 March.

A CAS hearing date has yet to be announced, but the verdict will shape the legacy of the 2025 tournament and could reset the balance of power in African football.