By Habib Badjinri Touré, Associate Professor at Université Grenoble-Alpes, and Criss-Dess Dongar, PhD in Law from Université Jean-Moulin Lyon 3

Why did the CAF revoke Senegal’s title and award it to Morocco?

The January 18, 2026 final of the African Cup of Nations saw Senegal triumph over the host nation, Morocco, in a dramatic encounter. However, the tournament—especially the final—was overshadowed by widespread allegations of referee bias, with many questioning the fairness of the Confederation of African Football (CAF). These accusations prompted the CAF to issue a rebuttal, reaffirming its commitment to fair play, transparency, and strict adherence to regulations.

The final match was marred by a series of contentious decisions. Senegal’s equalizing goal in the 92nd minute was disallowed for a dubious offside call, while Morocco was awarded a controversial penalty in the 98th minute. In protest, the Senegalese team and staff exited the field, refusing to resume play. The interruption lasted nearly 15 minutes, during which Morocco missed the penalty. Senegal later scored in extra time to claim victory.

However, the team’s protest contravened the CAF Cup of Nations Regulations. According to Articles 82 and 84, a team that refuses to continue or abandons the field without referee approval is deemed to have forfeited the match, losing by a score of 3-0. The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) promptly filed a complaint with the CAF Disciplinary Jury, which initially rejected the appeal. Morocco then escalated the matter to the CAF Appeals Jury, which ruled on March 17, 2026, that Senegal’s actions violated Article 82. Consequently, Senegal was declared to have forfeited the match, with the result adjusted to a 3-0 victory for Morocco. Senegal has since filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

How will the CAS rule on this dispute?

The CAS appeal, lodged on March 25, 2026, falls under the CAF Statutes and the Code of Sports Arbitration. Under Article 48.2 of the CAF Statutes, the CAS prioritizes CAF and FIFA regulations, with Swiss law as a subsidiary source. This approach was affirmed in a prior case involving the South African Football Association (CAS 2020/A/6907), where the panel applied the relevant competition regulations directly.

The CAS has emphasized its readiness to adjudicate, noting in a statement that it is fully equipped to resolve such disputes with specialized and independent arbitrators. The tribunal will assess whether the CAF Appeals Jury’s decision aligns with the letter and intent of Articles 82 and 84. It may also consider FIFA’s Disciplinary Code Articles 9 & 16 or the Laws of the Game Article 5, which govern the finality of referee decisions and the consequences of team behavior on match continuity.

What can Senegal expect from its CAS appeal?

Under CAF Statutes Article 48.7, a CAS appeal does not suspend the original decision, meaning the forfeiture stands until the CAS rules. Senegal’s appeal will focus on two key legal arguments:

  • Procedural challenges: Senegal has already requested an extension to file its appeal brief, citing the delayed issuance of the CAF’s reasoned decision. The case is currently in its preliminary phase.
  • Substantive grounds: The appeal will challenge the interpretation of Articles 82 and 84, arguing that the team’s temporary protest does not constitute a definitive refusal to play or abandonment. It may also contend that the CAF Appeals Jury overstepped its authority by retroactively reclassifying the incident as a forfeiture, undermining the referee’s real-time authority under FIFA’s framework.

The CAS has historically either overturned or upheld such decisions. While the outcome remains uncertain, the tribunal’s ruling will hinge on its interpretation of the regulations and FIFA principles. A final decision is expected in the coming weeks.