The Senegal AFCON title appeal will be decided by the end of November, according to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), as the dispute over the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations final continues.
Senegal is challenging a decision by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to award the tournament title to Morocco, despite Senegal winning the final 1-0 after extra time in January.
According to Reuters, CAS confirmed on Monday that it expects to deliver its final ruling by the end of November 2026.
The decision will determine whether Senegal can reclaim the title or Morocco will remain the officially recognised champion.
CAS delays Senegal AFCON title appeal decision
CAS had initially suggested that a decision could arrive within days of the October 8 hearing in Lausanne, Switzerland.
However, the court has now decided to issue a complete ruling that includes its legal reasoning.
The formal decision, known as a CAS Award, is expected at the end of November.
The hearing involved representatives from Senegal, Morocco and CAF.
All three parties presented arguments concerning the disputed final and the decision to overturn its result.
Why was Senegal stripped of the AFCON title?
Senegal defeated tournament hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time in the Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat.
However, the match included a controversial incident late in regulation time.
Senegal’s players walked off the pitch after the referee awarded Morocco a penalty.
Several players returned to the dressing room, causing a 14-minute interruption.
The Senegalese team eventually returned, allowing the match to continue.
Morocco missed the penalty, and Senegal went on to score the winning goal during extra time.
Two months later, CAF’s Appeal Board ruled that Senegal had forfeited the match by leaving the pitch.
The board overturned the result and awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory, making the hosts the official champions.
Senegal challenges CAF decision at CAS
Senegal filed its appeal with CAS on March 25, seeking to overturn CAF’s ruling.
The Senegalese football authorities argue that the referee’s decision should stand because he allowed the match to resume and reach its conclusion.
Their case focuses on the legal and procedural questions surrounding the interruption.
Morocco and CAF have also presented their positions to the arbitration panel.
The dispute centres on whether the temporary walk-off justified declaring Senegal to have forfeited the match, despite its eventual completion.
CAS examines legal arguments over AFCON final
CAS Director General Matthieu Reeb acknowledged the lengthy wait facing supporters of both national teams.
He explained that the hearing would focus mainly on procedural and legal matters because the events during the match were already established.
The arbitration panel includes three legal experts.
French sports law specialist Gerald Simon is presiding over the proceedings.
He is joined by Italian international law professor Luigi Fumagalli and legal expert Ulrich Haas.
Their ruling will determine whether CAF’s decision should remain in force or be overturned.
What happens next in the Senegal-Morocco dispute?
CAS decisions carry significant legal authority in international sport.
Its rulings, known as awards, can be enforced through sporting organisations or national courts, depending on the circumstances.
For Senegal, a successful appeal could restore the country’s claim to the Africa Cup of Nations title.
For Morocco, the ruling could confirm the championship awarded by CAF.
Both countries must now wait until the end of November for the final decision.
The outcome will bring greater clarity to one of African football’s most closely watched legal disputes.