Senegal has formally escalated its dispute with over the 2025 final, filing an appeal at the in a bid to overturn a ruling that stripped them of the title.
The appeal was submitted by the on March 25, 2026, marking the country’s final legal step in challenging CAF’s decision within global sports arbitration structures.
The dispute originates from a March 17 ruling by CAF’s Appeal Board, which declared that Senegal had forfeited the AFCON 2025 final against Morocco.
CAF cited a breach of tournament regulations after Senegalese players briefly walked off the pitch in protest of a refereeing decision during the match.
Under the governing rules, that action constituted forfeiture, leading CAF to revise the result to a 3–0 victory in favour of Morocco.
The decision overturned the original outcome of the final, where Senegal had secured a 1–0 win after extra time, effectively removing their championship status.
Senegal has rejected the ruling, maintaining that the decision lacks legal and sporting justification. In its submission to CAS, the federation is seeking to have CAF’s verdict annulled and the original match result reinstated, which would restore Senegal as AFCON 2025 champions.
CAS has confirmed receipt of the appeal and is expected to constitute a panel to hear arguments from both Senegal and Morocco.
Pending a final determination, Morocco remains the officially recognised winner of the tournament.The outcome of the case is expected to carry wider implications for football governance in Africa, particularly regarding the extent to which administrative rulings can alter results determined on the field.
Source : Channelstv
