The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) will decide Senegal’s appeal against being stripped of the Africa Cup of Nations title at the end of November, the court confirmed in a statement on Monday. It said the process would take several weeks before a full CAS Award is issued.
Senegal are challenging the Confederation of African Football (CAF) decision to name Morocco champions, even though Senegal had beaten the hosts 1-0 after extra time in January’s final in Rabat. The arguments from Senegal, Morocco and CAF were heard by CAS in Lausanne on October 8.
Why the CAS ruling has taken longer than expected
CAS had earlier said it expected to reach a decision within days. It has since chosen to issue a complete written ruling, including its legal reasoning.
The dispute centres on the closing stages of the final. Senegal left the pitch for 14 minutes after a penalty was awarded against them late in normal time, and several players went back to the dressing room in protest before play resumed. Morocco missed the spot kick, which sent the match into extra time, where Senegal scored the winner.
CAF appeal board overturned the Rabat result
Two months later, CAF’s Appeal Board ruled that Senegal had forfeited the match by walking off, overturned the result and awarded Morocco a 3-0 win. Senegal lodged their appeal with CAS on March 25, but the hearing took place about six months later.
Senegal’s case rests on the view that the referee’s decision was final and that he allowed the match to be completed. Speaking outside the hearing earlier this month, CAS Director General Matthieu Reeb acknowledged the wait. “I know it’s a long wait for the fans,” he said.
Reeb added that “the facts are set, are clear” and that the remaining discussions would focus on procedural and legal aspects.
Panel and the status of CAS awards
The panel is presided over by French sports law expert Gerald Simon. He is assisted by Italian international law professor Luigi Fumagalli and Ulrich Haas, a Hamburg-based lawyer who is also a professor of law at the University of Zurich.
CAS decisions, known as awards, carry the same value as a national court judgement. Depending on the circumstances, they may be enforced by sports federations or state courts.
