Can a forfeit declared after the fact strip a team of a title won on the pitch? The CAS heard the parties on 8 October 2026.
The dispute stems from the final played on 18 January 2026 in Rabat. Senegal won it on the pitch. On 17 March 2026, the CAF Appeals Board overturned that result, declared Senegal the loser by forfeit (3-0) and awarded the title to Morocco.
As a reminder, the Senegalese Federation appealed to the CAS and asked for the decision to be annulled outright and for its victory to be recognised. The parties pleaded their cases on 8 October. No decision was issued at the hearing, and the panel has begun its deliberations.
The award will address how the Senegalese players' temporary departure from the pitch during the match should be characterised. It will also address the proportionality of a forfeit sanction imposed after the fact, in light of CAS case law on refusal to play. Finally, it will determine who the champion of Africa is.
The Panel have begun and continue their deliberations. The CAS arbitrators have decided to issue a complete ruling which includes legal grounds. This process will require several weeks, with the CAS Award expected at the end of November 2026.
Sources : CAS press release of 25 March 2026 · France 24, 8 October 2026
