Senegal have lodged an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport over the decision to strip them of the Africa Cup of Nations title and hand the trophy to Morocco, the Swiss-based tribunal confirmed Wednesday.
“The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) confirms receipt of an appeal by the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) against the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation,” the CAS said in a statement.
Senegal are hoping to overturn the decision by African football’s governing body to strip them of the title after several of their players walked off the pitch in protest at a penalty awarded to Morocco during the Cup of Nations final on 18 January, which the Senegalese side went on to win 1-0 in extra-time.
Senegal players celebrate with Africa Cup Of Nations title. (Photo by Torbjorn Tande/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)
CAF announced on 17 March that it had upheld an appeal by the Moroccan Football Federation, saying that Senegal had infringed tournament regulations by walking off.
As a result, it declared Senegal to have forfeited the match, turning its 1-0 victory into a 3-0 defeat, making hosts Morocco the champions.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport said Senegal’s appeal “seeks to set aside the CAF decision and declare the FSF winners of AFCON”.
CAS Director General Matthieu Reeb added: “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 final flashpoint came when Morocco were awarded a hotly contested spot-kick in injury time with the game goalless.
The penalty was given by Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala right at the end of the allotted eight added minutes in normal time following a VAR check for a challenge on Brahim Diaz by El Hadji Malick Diouf.
Some Senegalese supporters attempted a pitch invasion out of anger, while Senegal’s players halted the game for nearly 20 minutes to protest the penalty award.
After Senegal’s players eventually returned having been coaxed back onto the pitch by Sadio Mane, Morocco’s Diaz took the kick but his penalty was saved.
Pape Gueye then went on to score the goal in extra-time that gave Senegal a 1-0 victory, and their second continental title after their maiden triumph in 2022.
