The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has registered an appeal from the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) challenging the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) decision to disqualify Senegal from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title.
The appeal, filed on March 25, seeks to overturn CAF’s ruling and have Senegal officially reinstated as tournament winners. The FSF has also requested a suspension of the procedural timeline for submitting its full appeal brief until CAF provides the complete, reasoned basis for its initial decision.
A CAS Arbitral Panel will now be constituted to adjudicate the dispute. Once appointed, the panel will establish a procedural timetable for the exchange of written submissions and, potentially, a hearing. CAS Director General Matthieu Reeb stated the institution is prepared to handle the case efficiently. “CAS is perfectly equipped to resolve this type of dispute, with the assistance of expert and independent arbitrators,” Reeb said. “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 controversy stems from CAF’s disqualification of Senegal in February, following an investigation into the eligibility of a player during the tournament. CAF concluded that Senegal fielded an ineligible player, violating competition regulations, and consequently stripped them of the title won in Côte d’Ivoire. The trophy is currently considered unallocated.
This appeal places the final resolution of the AFCON 2023 outcome in the hands of the world’s highest sports court. CAS has previously ruled on similar eligibility disputes, often focusing on procedural nuances and the severity of the sanction relative to the infraction. The Senegalese federation’s legal challenge contests both the factual finding of ineligibility and the severity of the penalty.
The arbitration process will now move through its preliminary stages. The speed of the final award will depend on the panel’s schedule and whether the parties agree to a streamlined procedure. For now, the status of the AFCON trophy and the official record of the 2023 champion remain in a state of legal limbo pending CAS’s definitive judgment.
