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Senegal has filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to overturn a decision that stripped them of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title, which was awarded to Morocco.
The appeal, confirmed by the Swiss-based tribunal on Wednesday, follows a controversial penalty decision in the tournament’s final match on January 18.
“The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) confirms receipt of an appeal by the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) against the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation,” the CAS announced.
Senegal’s appeal challenges the decision made by CAF, which declared the match forfeit after several Senegalese players walked off the pitch in protest against a penalty awarded to Morocco in injury time.
The penalty, awarded by Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala, followed a VAR review of a challenge on Brahim Diaz by Senegal’s El Hadji Malick Diouf. The penalty was saved by Senegal’s goalkeeper, but the Senegalese players continued to protest, eventually halting the game for nearly 20 minutes.
The match resumed after Senegal’s captain, Sadio Mane, coaxed his teammates back onto the field, and Senegal went on to win 1-0 after extra time, claiming their second continental title.
CAF upheld Morocco’s appeal on March 17, citing Senegal’s violation of competition regulations. In response, Senegal now hopes to have the decision reversed and retain its title. CAS Director General Matthieu Reeb assured the public that the proceedings would be expedited while ensuring fairness.
The Moroccan Football Federation stated that its appeal was solely to enforce the tournament regulations, not to contest the teams’ sporting performance. CAF president Patrice Motsepe emphasised the right of African nations to seek CAS rulings, assuring that CAF would respect the final decision.
In the aftermath of the final, FIFA president Gianni Infantino condemned the “unacceptable scenes” involving some Senegalese players, further fueling the controversy.
Both teams are now preparing for the upcoming World Cup, with Senegal set to play Peru in Paris and Morocco facing Ecuador in Madrid later this week.
