The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is expected to deliver its verdict by the end of November 2026 on Senegal’s appeal against the decision to strip the country of its Africa Cup of Nations title and award the trophy to Morocco, following a closed-door hearing in Lausanne, Switzerland, on 8 October.
The anticipated ruling could determine the final outcome of a contentious dispute surrounding the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, which Senegal originally won 1-0 after extra time at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on 18 January 2026.
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In a statement issued on Monday, 19 October, CAS said the arbitration panel had begun deliberations and would issue a full ruling, including its legal reasoning, rather than announce a decision without detailed grounds.
“The panel have begun and continue their deliberations,” CAS said.
The organisation added that preparing the complete award would require several weeks, with the decision expected at the end of November.
The dispute stems from dramatic scenes during the final, when Senegal players temporarily left the pitch in protest after Moroccan players were awarded a penalty while the match remained goalless.
Some Senegalese supporters also attempted to invade the pitch, bringing proceedings to a halt for almost 20 minutes before the Senegal players returned.
Despite the disruption, Senegal went on to secure victory through Pape Gueye’s extra-time goal, initially appearing to have claimed another continental crown.
However, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) overturned the result in March, awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory and the championship following disciplinary proceedings connected to the events during the final.
The decision prompted Senegal to challenge CAF’s ruling at CAS, the independent body responsible for resolving disputes involving international sport.
The appeal places the legality of CAF’s decision at the centre of the proceedings.
The arbitration panel will consider the arguments presented by the parties before issuing its final award.
Until that ruling is delivered, the dispute remains unresolved at the level of the international sports arbitration process.
For Senegal, the case concerns the status of a title won on the pitch and subsequently removed through a governing-body decision.
For Morocco, the ruling will determine whether the championship awarded by CAF stands.
The controversy has also drawn attention to the enforcement of competition regulations, the authority of football governing bodies and the consequences of player protests during major international matches.
CAS proceedings are generally conducted independently of the sporting bodies whose decisions are being challenged.
Its awards provide a formal resolution of disputes submitted to its jurisdiction, although any further legal avenues depend on the circumstances and applicable rules.
The end-of-November timeline therefore represents a significant milestone for both national teams and African football supporters awaiting clarity on the final outcome.
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Until CAS publishes its decision and supporting legal grounds, neither the outcome of Senegal’s appeal nor any potential change to the title’s official status should be treated as settled.
