Senegal to Appeal CAF Ruling After AFCON Title Awarded to Morocco

Senegal has announced plans to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) following a controversial ruling by the Confederation of African Football Appeal Board that stripped the country of its Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title and awarded it to Morocco.

CAF’s Appeal Board ruled on March 17, 2026, that Senegal had forfeited the AFCON final, overturning their 1–0 extra-time victory and awarding Morocco a 3–0 default win. 

The decision followed an appeal lodged by Morocco’s football federation, which argued that Senegal violated tournament regulations by walking off the pitch in protest of a late penalty decision during the final. 

Although Senegal later returned to complete the match and eventually win on the field  CAF determined that the temporary walkout breached Articles 82 and 84 of its regulations, which prohibit teams from leaving the field without authorization. 

The ruling reversed an earlier disciplinary decision that had imposed fines and suspensions but allowed Senegal to retain the title. 

In reaction, the Senegalese Football Federation has strongly rejected the verdict, describing it as unjust, and confirmed it will challenge the outcome at CAS. 

To defend its rights and the interests of Senegalese football, the Federation will initiate an appeal as soon as possible before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne.

The decision has sparked widespread controversy across African football, with critics questioning both the timing and implications of overturning a completed final match. Meanwhile, Morocco has accepted the ruling, securing the continental title through the appeal process.

CAS is expected to review the case in the coming weeks, a move that could determine the final outcome of one of the most disputed AFCON finals in recent history.