The Court of Arbitration for Sport has officially confirmed receipt of an appeal from the Senegalese Football Federationcontesting the controversial decision to strip Senegal of their Africa Cup of Nations title.
The appeal, registered on March 25, 2026, seeks to overturn the ruling by the Confederation of African Football and reinstate Senegal as rightful winners of the tournament. According to CAS, the FSF is asking for the decision to be set aside and for the federation to be formally declared AFCON champions.
In a further move, the Senegalese FA has requested an immediate suspension of the deadline to submit its full appeal brief. This, they argue, is necessary until CAF provides the complete grounds for its decision—an essential step to enable a comprehensive legal response.
CAS has indicated that an arbitral panel will soon be constituted to handle the matter. Once appointed, the panel will establish a procedural timeline to guide the arbitration process, including submission deadlines and hearing dates.
Speaking on the development, Matthieu Reeb assured stakeholders of the institution’s readiness to handle the dispute efficiently.
“CAS is perfectly equipped to resolve this type of dispute, with the assistance of expert and independent arbitrators,” he stated. “We understand that teams and fans are eager to know the final decision, and we will ensure that arbitration proceedings are conducted as swiftly as possible, while respecting the right of all parties to a fair hearing.”
The latest development marks a significant escalation in the ongoing AFCON 2025 controversy, which has sparked widespread debate across the football world. Senegal’s appeal signals its determination to reclaim the title through legal means, setting the stage for a high-stakes arbitration battle.
With the appointment of arbitrators and procedural steps expected soon, attention now turns to CAS as it prepares to deliver what could be a landmark ruling in African football.
