Senegal appeal date set after Afcon win overturned

The Court of Arbitration for Sport has scheduled October 8, 2026 for a hearing on Senegal's appeal against the Confederation of African Football's decision to strip them of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title, per ESPN's reporting. The decision sets a date for sport's highest court to review one of African football's most contested rulings: a tournament title won on the pitch but revoked on disciplinary grounds.

Senegal defeated Morocco 1-0 after extra time in the final on January 18, with Pape Gueye scoring the winner. The match turned in stoppage time when a penalty was awarded to Morocco following a VAR review. The score was 0-0 at that moment. Senegal's then-coach Pape Thiaw led his players off the pitch in protest of the penalty award. After they returned, Morocco's Brahim Díaz missed the penalty.

CAF's appeal board ruled on March 17 that Senegal had forfeited the final and awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory. Senegal confirmed their intention to appeal to CAS that same month. The parties involved, the Senegalese federation, CAF, and the Moroccan federation, did not agree to expedite the procedure, meaning the case will follow a standard timeline, according to ESPN.

The CAS hearing will take place behind closed doors, and a decision will not be issued on the day of the hearing itself. The proceedings will test whether CAF's authority to overturn match results on disciplinary grounds survives international scrutiny, and what legal standard applies when a team protests a refereeing decision by walking off the pitch.

The three open questions remain unaddressed by the sources: the specific grounds of Senegal's appeal and CAF's legal defense, the timeline for CAS's decision after October 8, and whether Senegal could be awarded the title or whether other remedies are available under CAS jurisdiction.