The aftermath of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations has taken a dramatic turn, as Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) confirms it has received an appeal from Senegalese Football Federation seeking to overturn a controversial decision that stripped Senegal of their AFCON title.
The dispute stems from a ruling by the Confederation of African Football, which overturned Senegal’s victory following a formal complaint by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football. In its decision, CAF’s Appeal Board declared Morocco the winners of the tournament, awarding them a 3–0 victory after determining that Senegal forfeited the final match due to misconduct.
According to CAF, the ruling was based on incidents that occurred late in the final match hosted in Morocco. Tensions escalated after a Senegal goal was disallowed and a penalty was awarded to the host nation, prompting Senegalese players to briefly walk off the pitch in protest. The Appeal Board concluded that the action violated competition regulations relating to misconduct and match forfeiture, specifically citing relevant provisions within the rules.
Unwilling to accept the outcome, Senegal has now taken the matter to CAS, the highest authority for resolving international sports disputes. In a statement released on Wednesday, CAS confirmed that the appeal was officially registered on March 25, 2026. The Senegalese FA is asking the tribunal to nullify CAF’s decision and reinstate Senegal as the rightful champions of the 2025 tournament.
The case has quickly become one of the most talked-about controversies in African football, raising questions about match governance, disciplinary procedures, and the integrity of tournament outcomes. As both sides await a final ruling, the spotlight is firmly on CAS to deliver a verdict that could reshape the conclusion of one of Africa’s biggest football competitions.
For now, uncertainty remains over who will officially be recognised as the 2025 AFCON champions, with the final decision resting in the hands of the global sports arbitration body.
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