Senegal’s AFCON fate heads for Lausanne showdown
Senegal’s appeal to regain the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title will be heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sport on October 8, extending a dispute that has become a major test of CAF’s disciplinary credibility.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport will hear Senegal’s appeal against the loss of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title on October 8 at its headquarters in Lausanne.The hearing will be held behind closed doors after none of the parties requested a public session. A ruling will not be issued on the day, and no timetable has been given for the final decision.CAS said: “The parties have not agreed to expedite the procedure.”The Senegalese Football Federation registered its appeal against CAF and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation on March 25.Senegal are asking CAS to overturn CAF’s decision and reinstate them as champions after their 1-0 extra-time victory over hosts Morocco in Rabat on January 18.CAF initially rejected Morocco’s request for the match to be forfeited but imposed sanctions over Senegal’s temporary walk-off during second-half stoppage time.Head coach Pape Bouna Thiaw instructed his players to leave after Morocco were awarded a penalty following a VAR review, shortly after Senegal had a goal disallowed.Captain Sadio Mané persuaded the team to return after a delay of around 14 minutes. Brahim Díaz missed the resulting penalty before Pape Gueye scored the only goal in extra time.CAF’s disciplinary board fined the Senegalese federation a total of US$615,000 and handed Thiaw a five-match suspension and US$100,000 fine.Iliman Ndiaye and Ismaïla Sarr were each suspended for two CAF matches.CAF’s appeal board overturned the original sporting decision on March 17, ruling that Senegal had forfeited the final by leaving the pitch without the referee’s permission.The match was recorded as a 3-0 victory for Morocco, stripping Senegal of the title 57 days after the final.The case will determine whether CAF’s appeal board applied the tournament regulations correctly and whether the sanction was proportionate to the interruption.The dispute has also raised wider questions around governance, disciplinary consistency and the reputational damage caused by reversing the result of a continental final nearly two months later.CAF president Patrice Motsepe has separately confirmed that he will not seek a third term when his current mandate ends in 2029.Motsepe said: “Nobody is going to persuade me to serve more than two terms at CAF. It’s not going to happen.”He also ruled out pursuing a FIFA role and backed Gianni Infantino ahead of the next presidential election.Motsepe said: “I personally support Infantino. He’s not just a good friend, he’s loyal to Africa. You need to have a president of FIFA who is as committed to African football development and growth as Gianni is.”