The CAS heard the Senegalese Football Federation and CAF behind closed doors on 8 October. Sadio Mané and the Senegal national team are awaiting a verdict that could come within days, or even weeks.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne heard representatives of the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) behind closed doors on 8 October, according to SeneNews. The arbitration panel, made up of three arbitrators and chaired by French law professor Gérald Simon, must now rule on a dispute over the awarding of the 2025 AFCON title.
Because on the pitch, Senegal had won. On 18 January 2026, in Rabat, Sadio Mané’s men, with the captain in the national team, had won 1-0 in the final. But on 17 March 2026, CAF’s appeal jury declared Senegal forfeit for abandoning the field and awarded the title to Morocco by default, 3-0, under Articles 82 and 84 of the regulations. Since then, the case has moved to a different jurisdiction.
An appeal lodged on 25 March
The FSF contested CAF’s decision. On 25 March 2026, it lodged an appeal with the CAS seeking annulment of the sanctions and definitive confirmation of its triumph, SeneNews reports. The Switzerland-based body must therefore decide whether the final lost by default remains Morocco’s, or whether the title goes to Senegal.
The 8 October hearing was held behind closed doors. The three arbitrators, under the chairmanship of Gérald Simon, now have the case in hand.
Mané had brought his teammates back
The origin of the dispute goes back to the final itself. During that turbulent match in Rabat, the Senegalese players had briefly left the pitch before captain Sadio Mané, a forward, intervened to bring his teammates back onto the field, again according to SeneNews. The sanction was pronounced on 17 March 2026 by CAF’s appeal jury, almost two months after the final.
While awaiting the verdict, Morocco remains officially credited with the 2025 AFCON title according to CAF’s records.
A few days, or four months
Asked about the timetable, CAS director general Matthieu Reeb said: “The decision could come within a few days, or even a few weeks.” According to SeneNews, the ruling could be issued within that timeframe. However, the court’s regulations provide for a mandatory maximum of four months after the hearing to notify the reasoned award to the parties.
According to SeneNews, notification of the final verdict, binding and not subject to appeal, is expected by the end of 2026. The Senegalese outlet itself considers this dispute one of the most significant in the history of CAF competitions.