The Senegalese Football Federation has formally launched its legal appeal. This move comes one week after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) made the shocking decision to strip the nation of its Africa Cup of Nations 2025 title. The sanction was imposed following the team’s temporary walk-off during the final match against Morocco. On Wednesday, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) confirmed it had officially registered the petition from Sénégal.

A contested victory on the green carpet

This legal challenge was widely anticipated. Sénégal is petitioning for the total reversal of the CAF ruling, seeking to reclaim the championship they won on the field during extra time, thanks to a decisive goal by Pape Gueye. The match was overshadowed by a late-game controversy when the referee awarded a penalty to Morocco, which Brahim Diaz ultimately missed. In a dramatic display of protest, the Senegalese players left the pitch for several minutes before eventually returning to conclude the game.

According to an official statement from the institution, an arbitration panel will be appointed to oversee the case, after which a formal procedural timeline will be established. Currently, a specific date for the hearing has not been announced.

CAS promises a swift resolution

Matthieu Reeb, the Director General of CAS, expressed confidence in the court’s ability to handle the high-profile dispute. “The CAS is fully prepared to resolve these types of conflicts with the assistance of independent and specialized arbitrators,” he stated. He further acknowledged the anxiety of the fans and the participating teams, promising that the proceedings would be handled as quickly as possible while ensuring a fair trial for all involved parties.