The Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) has officially appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to overturn a controversial decision by CAF that stripped the nation of its 2026 Africa Cup of Nations title and awarded it to Morocco.
The Senegalese Football Federation filed a formal appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Wednesday, seeking to reclaim their AFCON trophy.
The move follows a shocking ruling by the CAF Appeal Board on March 17, which declared Senegal had forfeited the January 18 final.
CAF cited a 15-minute mid-match walk-off by Senegalese players, who were protesting a late penalty awarded to hosts Morocco.
Although the match eventually resumed and Senegal won 1-0 in extra time, CAF applied Articles 82 and 84 of its regulations to record a 3-0 default victory for Morocco.
The FSF has labeled the decision “unjust and unprecedented,” arguing that the referee’s choice to complete the game made the original result binding.
The federation is now requesting that the CAS annul the forfeiture and reinstate them as champions.
CAS Director General Matthieu Reeb confirmed that an independent arbitral panel will be appointed to handle the case swiftly.
The FSF has also requested a suspension of the deadline to submit their full brief until CAF provides the complete legal grounds for the initial ruling.
As Africa’s “Teranga Lions” prepare for their next match against Peru, the continent remains divided over a title now decided in a boardroom.