Sport's highest court hears Senegal's bid to win back the Africa Cup of Nations title
Senegal beat Morocco 1-0 on the pitch in January, then lost the final by forfeit after a walk-off. Arbitrators in Lausanne must decide which result stands.
Lausanne — The Court of Arbitration for Sport was due on Thursday to hear Senegal's appeal against the decision that stripped it of victory in the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The final was played in Rabat on 18 January. After a penalty was awarded to the hosts, Morocco, Senegal's players left the pitch for more than 15 minutes. They came back, and went on to win 1-0 in extra time.
Morocco lodged a complaint. The Confederation of African Football then ruled that Senegal had forfeited the match and awarded Morocco a 3-0 win, and with it the title.
Behind closed doors
Senegal's football federation is asking the court to overturn that ruling and restore the result on the pitch. The hearing in Lausanne is being held in private and in French before a panel of three arbitrators chaired by Gérald Simon of France, according to Africanews.
The court does not usually announce its decision on the day of a hearing, and no date for a ruling was given in the report.
The case is without precedent for a final of the continent's biggest tournament. Whatever the panel decides will settle who the record books list as African champions.
This report is based on reporting by Africanews. It was written before the outcome of the hearing was known.
