Senegal to challenge CAF's decision at sport's highest court
The West African nation will take its case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport on 8 October, seeking to overturn the award of the Africa Cup of Nations to Morocco.
The controversy stems from a penalty kick in the final’s stoppage time, when several Senegalese players left the field, prompting a 15‑minute interruption and a default ruling by the Confederation of African Football.
That decision, which handed the trophy to Morocco, has been criticised for ignoring the long‑standing principle that a referee’s on‑field call is final.
The hearing in Lausanne will be held behind closed doors, with no immediate timeline for a verdict; historically, CAS panels require several months to publish their judgments.
Senegal’s campaign had begun earlier in the tournament, where they fell to Belgium in the round of 32 after a strong World Cup showing by Morocco, who reached the quarter‑finals.
Idrissa Gueye, a key figure in the Senegalese side, now faces the prospect of a legal battle that could reshape the narrative of the tournament’s climax.
The outcome will be watched closely by football governing bodies and fans alike, as it may set a precedent for how similar disputes are handled in future continental competitions.