Rabat – A member of the Senegalese football federation has confirmed that the country will now move forward with its appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), while rejecting claims that CAF’s decision has already been suspended.
Speaking to Senegal’s national broadcaster RTS, executive committee member Moussa Mbaye said the appeal process is only now beginning.
“We will file the appeal today, Tuesday. We will start these procedures,” he said, putting an end to speculation that legal action had already been completed.
His comments come after several reports, mainly shared across social media, claimed that CAS had decided to freeze the ruling of CAF’s appeal board.
🎥 Moussa Mbaye le confirme.
La Fédération Sénégalaise de Football dépose son recours auprès du TAS ce mardi 24 mars.
L’affaire continue. ⚖️🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/PZOR9UaAa1
— Lion Times 🇲🇦 (@LionTimes_) March 24, 2026
That ruling had awarded Morocco a 3-0 forfeit win and the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title following Senegal’s shameful walk-off in the final.
Mbaye dismissed those reports, “People will hear a lot of false information, but they must be patient and wait for official communication from the Senegalese federation,” he said.
The statement confirms that no decision has been taken yet by CAS and that CAF’s ruling still stands as the official outcome. Morocco remains the African champion, with the result recognized at the continental level.
The situation is now entering a new phase, but it is still at the beginning of the legal process. Filing the appeal is only the first step. The full procedure at CAS can take months, with both sides expected to present their arguments in detail.
Mbaye also stressed that Senegal does not want to act emotionally.
“We will not act with emotion. We will remain calm and act with the necessary wisdom to serve Senegalese football,” he said.
The case itself is expected to focus on the interpretation of the rules, especially Articles 82 and 84, which deal with a team leaving the pitch without authorization. Those regulations formed the basis of CAF’s ruling in favor of Morocco.
