CAS Opens Hearing Into Senegal AFCON Title Appeal
CAS Opens Hearing Into Senegal AFCON Title Appeal
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Thursday opened hearing into Senegal's appeal against being stripped of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title in favour of Morocco.
The hearing is being held behind closed doors at CAS headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, before a three-member panel chaired by French professor Gerald Simon, with German professor Ulrich Haas and Italian professor Luigi Fumagalli.
It comes nearly 10 months after the chaotic AFCON 2025 final in Rabat on January 18. Senegal had won 1-0 against hosts Morocco through Pape Gueye's extra-time winner after a dramatic end to normal time.
With the match goalless in stoppage time, Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a late penalty after a VAR check. In protest, most Senegal players walked off the pitch and returned to the dressing room, halting the game for almost 20 minutes. Once play resumed, Brahim Diaz missed the spot-kick.
Senegal went on to lift the trophy, but in March, CAF Appeals Board overturned the result, ruling Senegal breached regulations barring teams from leaving the field without referee's authorization. CAF awarded Morocco a 3-0 forfeit win and the title - its first since 1976.
Senegal described it as "the most blatant administrative robbery in the history of our sport" and lodged its appeal on March 25, asking CAS to annul the ruling and declare Senegal champions.
Thursday's opening session lasted over five hours.
CAS General Manager Matthieu Reeb said a verdict will not come Thursday and could take "days or even weeks."
Senegal FA President Abdoulaye Sow said he hopes "sports law" will be upheld. Morocco's delegation declined comment.
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