The Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF) has formally acknowledged a ruling delivered on March 17, 2026, by the Appeals Jury of the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF), setting the stage for a high-stakes legal battle that could have far-reaching implications for African football governance.
The decision stems from a complaint filed following Match No. 52 of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025, which pitted Senegal against host nation Morocco. The case, referenced as DC23316, has now evolved into a contentious dispute after CAF’s Appeals Jury ruled in favor of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).
According to the FSF, the Appeals Jury declared Morocco’s appeal admissible and upheld it, thereby overturning an earlier decision by CAF’s Disciplinary Jury. The reversal was based on procedural grounds, with the Appeals body citing a failure to respect Morocco’s right to be heard during the initial proceedings.
In its substantive findings, the Appeals Jury further determined that Senegal’s conduct fell within the scope of Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON regulations.
As a consequence, CAF ruled that the FSF had breached Article 82 and imposed a forfeit, awarding a 3–0 victory to Morocco in line with Article 84.
The Senegalese federation has strongly condemned the ruling, describing it as “unjust, unprecedented, and unacceptable,” and warning that it risks undermining the credibility of African football.
The FSF insists that the decision casts a shadow over the principles of fairness and integrity that the sport seeks to uphold across the continent.
In response, the federation has confirmed its intention to escalate the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne. The move signals Senegal’s determination to challenge the verdict through the highest legal authority in global sports arbitration.
Reaffirming its commitment to justice and transparency, the FSF assured stakeholders that it will pursue all necessary legal avenues to defend its rights and protect the interests of Senegalese football. The federation also pledged to keep the public informed as the case progresses, in what is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched disputes in recent African football history.