By Angu Lesley
Football Writer,kick442.com-Cameroon
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has confirmed that its long-awaited ruling on Senegal’s appeal over the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final will not be delivered until the end of November 2026, leaving one of African football’s biggest controversies unresolved for several more weeks.
The dispute dates back to the dramatic final between Senegal and Morocco in Rabat on January 18, 2026. Senegal initially won the match 1-0 after extra time, with Pape Gueye scoring the decisive goal. However, the game had descended into controversy late in normal time after Morocco were awarded a penalty following a VAR review. Senegal’s players and technical staff temporarily left the pitch in protest before returning, with Morocco’s Brahim Díaz subsequently missing the spot-kick. Senegal eventually won the final in extra time.
The controversy did not end with Senegal lifting the trophy. CAF’s Appeal Board ruled on March 17, 2026 that Senegal had forfeited the final, invoking Article 84 of the AFCON regulations, and changed the official result to a 3-0 victory for Morocco. The decision effectively stripped Senegal of the title and recognised Morocco as the champions of AFCON 2025.
Senegal rejected that decision and took the matter to CAS. The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) formally appealed against CAF and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), asking CAS to overturn CAF’s ruling and restore Senegal as the winners of the tournament. CAS registered the appeal on March 25 under case number CAS 2026/A/12295.
The case finally reached the hearing stage on October 8, 2026, when representatives of the parties appeared before the CAS panel in Lausanne. The hearing was held behind closed doors, after which the arbitrators began their deliberations.
In its latest update on Monday, October 19, CAS said the panel has decided to issue a complete CAS Award containing the legal grounds for its decision. The process will take several weeks, with the final ruling now expected at the end of November 2026.
That means Morocco remains the officially recognised AFCON 2025 champion for now, while Senegal continues to challenge the decision. Until CAS delivers its award, there will be no definitive answer to whether the trophy will remain in Morocco or whether Senegal’s original victory will eventually be restored.
CAS has also reminded the public that only information issued through its official channels should be regarded as authoritative regarding the case.
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