Lausanne:Senegal and Morocco's dispute over the Africa Cup of Nations title has reached the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland, following a controversial final in January. The match, held in Rabat, ended with Senegal winning 1-0 after extra time, but the Confederation of African Football (CAF) later overturned the result in favor of Morocco.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the CAF appeals panel awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory, citing that Senegal's players had briefly left the field in protest of a penalty decision, causing a delay in the game. This decision is central to Senegal's appeal at the CAS, where a one-day hearing was scheduled behind closed doors. The court's verdict will decide the champion before the next AFCON begins in June in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
The authority of the referee, Jean-Jacques Ndala of Congo, is a significant point in the appeal. Ndala had allowed the game to continue after Senegal returned to the field. Despite Morocco's Brahim Díaz missing a penalty, Senegal's Pape Gueye secured the victory with a goal in extra time. However, CAF later ruled Senegal had forfeited the match for leaving the field without permission.
CAF imposed fines exceeding $1 million on both federations, players, and Senegal's coach, Pape Thiaw. They initially rejected Morocco's request to annul the result but later ruled in favor of Morocco due to the walk-off.
Senegal's government has vowed to explore all legal options to reclaim the title and has called for an investigation into alleged corruption in African football. The case also highlights claims of Morocco's growing influence within CAF and FIFA, especially as it prepares to co-host the 2030 World Cup. Moroccan King Mohammed VI pardoned 18 Senegalese fans jailed for disorder at the final in May.