The Senegalese response was swift. Just hours after the CAF Appeals Committee’s decision to strip Senegal of its continental title and award the final victory to Morocco, the Senegalese Football Federation announced its intention to take the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). In its statement, the FSF condemned the decision as “unjust,” “unprecedented,” and “unacceptable,” arguing that this verdict undermines the credibility of African football.
Currently, available information mainly indicates a willingness to appeal to CAS, rather than an official confirmation of a case already filed and registered in Lausanne. Several international media outlets, including Reuters, AP, and The Guardian, report that Senegal will appeal or intends to approach CAS, but they do not mention that a formal procedure has already been initiated at this stage.
This new legal battle comes after the CAF’s dramatic reversal. The body determined that the temporary exit of the Senegalese players from the field during the final, in protest against a penalty awarded to Morocco, constituted a violation of the CAN regulations. Citing articles 82 and 84, the Appeals Committee thus transformed Senegal’s on-field victory into a 3-0 forfeit loss, thereby awarding the title to Morocco.
From the Senegalese side, the objective is now clear: to seek the annulment of this decision before the highest sports court. The case is expected to be sensitive, complex, and potentially lengthy, given the immense stakes surrounding a continental title that has already been celebrated and then rescinded. While awaiting a possible official filing confirmed by CAS itself, Senegal is demonstrating its determination to continue the fight in the realm of sports law.
