The protracted saga over who rightfully holds the crown of African football is set to reach its legal climax. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has officially announced that its definitive ruling on the disputed Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final between Morocco and Senegal will be delivered at the end of November.
Following a closed-door hearing in Lausanne on October 8, where legal teams representing the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF), the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) presented their arguments, sport’s highest judicial body opted to issue a comprehensive, fully reasoned CAS Award rather than a rapid summary verdict.
The Genesis of the Dispute: Inside the Rabat Final
To understand the immense gravity of the upcoming November ruling, one must return to the chaotic scenes of the AFCON final staged in Rabat.
The Dramatic Walkout: Late in regulation time with the score locked at 0–0, the match referee awarded hosts Morocco a controversial penalty.
The Miss and Extra-Time Winner: Play eventually resumed after order was restored. Morocco’s Brahim Díaz missed the subsequent spot-kick, keeping the match level.
CAF’s Overturn: The jubilation in Dakar was short-lived. Following an official appeal lodged by the Moroccan federation, CAF's Appeal Board ruled in March that Senegal’s walkout breached competition regulations (Articles 82 and 84), declaring a 3–0 forfeit victory and awarding the continental crown to Morocco.
The CAS Appeal: What Is at Stake?
Unwilling to accept the administrative stripping of their hard-fought victory on the pitch, the FSF filed an urgent appeal with CAS on March 25, seeking to set aside CAF's ruling and permanently reinstate Senegal as official AFCON champions.
Senegal’s Stance: Legal representatives for the FSF argue that the referee's authority is absolute, that the match was successfully completed under official jurisdiction, and that subsequent administrative overturns undermine sporting integrity.
Morocco and CAF's Position: The respondents maintain that walking off the pitch constitutes a clear breach of tournament regulations, justifying a disciplinary default judgment under international football statutes.
The Judicial Delay: While initial expectations pointed toward a quick turnaround following the October 8 hearing, CAS released a procedural update clarifying that arbitrators require several weeks to draft a comprehensive legal text addressing all procedural and substantive arguments.
Summary of the AFCON Legal Timeline
| Milestone / Phase | Date & Status | Key Details & Context |
| The AFCON Final | January 18, 2026 | Senegal defeats Morocco 1.1.3 after extra time amid a 14-minute pitch walkout controversy. |
| CAF Disciplinary Verdict | March 17, 2026 | CAF Appeal Board overturns the result, declaring a 3–0 forfeit win for Morocco. |
| CAS Appeal Registration | March 25, 2026 | FSF formally files an appeal in Lausanne seeking to annul the CAF decision. |
| Lausanne Hearing | October 8, 2026 | Closed-door oral arguments heard from Senegal, Morocco, and CAF. |
| Expected Final Judgment | Late November 2026 | Full CAS Award to be published, determining the undisputed continental champion. |