Senegal had originally secured a 1-0 victory over Morocco in the final played on 18 January. However, the outcome was later overturned by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), which awarded a 3-0 win to Morocco following a disciplinary ruling.
The decision stemmed from a dramatic stoppage-time incident in which hosts Morocco were awarded a penalty. Senegal’s players briefly walked off the pitch in protest before eventually returning, an action that later proved pivotal. After a formal complaint by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, CAF ruled that Senegal had effectively forfeited the match, leading to the revised scoreline.
Senegal has since escalated the matter to CAS, seeking to have the original result reinstated and reclaim the continental title.
CAS Director General Matthieu Reeb acknowledged the urgency surrounding the case, noting that fans and stakeholders are awaiting clarity. He emphasized that while the tribunal aims to expedite proceedings, it must also ensure that all parties receive a fair hearing.
Despite the commitment to a swift process, CAS has not provided a definitive timeline for when a final verdict will be delivered. Legal experts suggest the case could take several months to conclude. Raymond Hack previously indicated that arbitration proceedings of this nature may extend up to six months, potentially overlapping with preparations for major international tournaments, including the World Cup.
The outcome of the appeal could have significant implications not only for the two nations involved but also for how disciplinary actions are handled in African football going forward.