The highly anticipated ruling follows a hearing on Thursday, 8 October, during which the parties presented their arguments over the controversial outcome of the January final in Rabat.
CAS Director General Matthieu Reeb said the court intended to issue a reasoned decision as soon as possible, although he did not specify an exact date.
“I expect the decision to come not today, not tomorrow, but a few days later,” Reeb said, explaining that the remaining discussions would focus on procedural matters and legal issues.
How Senegal lost the AFCON title
Senegal originally won the final 1-0 after extra time on 18 January, with Pape Gueye scoring the decisive goal against hosts Morocco.
However, the match was overshadowed by controversy late in normal time when a penalty was awarded to Morocco. Senegal’s players protested the decision, with several leaving the pitch and play being interrupted for approximately 14 minutes.
Morocco’s Brahim Díaz subsequently missed the penalty. The match resumed, and Senegal went on to secure victory in extra time.
Two months later, on 17 March, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeal Board overturned the result, ruling that Senegal had forfeited the final under the competition regulations. Morocco were awarded a 3-0 victory and recognised as champions.
Senegal challenge CAF’s decision at CAS
The Senegalese Football Federation appealed to CAS on 25 March, seeking to overturn CAF’s ruling and have Senegal reinstated as AFCON champions.
The dispute centres on the interpretation and application of the tournament regulations concerning a team leaving the field before the conclusion of a match without the referee’s authorisation.
Senegal’s case challenges the decision to treat the walk-off as a forfeiture, while Morocco’s position rests on the application of the competition rules that CAF relied upon when awarding the match to the hosts.
The hearing in Lausanne was conducted behind closed doors, with representatives of Senegal, Morocco and CAF involved in the proceedings.
Senegal express confidence ahead of the ruling
Senegal Football Federation General Secretary Abdoulaye Sow expressed confidence following the hearing, stressing the importance of resolving the dispute in accordance with sports law.
He said the priority was to ensure that sports law was upheld and that the matter was concluded with dignity for African football.
Morocco’s delegation did not make a public statement after the hearing.
The CAS panel is presided over by French sports law expert Gérald Simon, with Italian international law professor Luigi Fumagalli and legal scholar Ulrich Haas also serving on the panel.
What happens next?
The forthcoming CAS ruling will determine whether CAF’s decision to strip Senegal of the title and award Morocco a 3-0 victory stands or is overturned.
Until the verdict is delivered, the dispute leaves the official outcome of the AFCON final under legal challenge, despite Morocco currently being recognised by CAF as champions.
The decision is expected within days, bringing a months-long controversy closer to resolution for both national teams and their supporters.