The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has stated that it will deliver a decision “as swiftly as possible” after the Senegal national football team lodged an appeal over the controversial outcome of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final against the Moroccan national football team.
Senegal were initially named champions after winning 1-0 in the final on January 18.
However, the match became controversial in stoppage time when Morocco was granted a late penalty.
Senegal’s players protested briefly before returning to finish the game.
Following a protest from the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, the Confederation of African Football investigated the incident and determined that Senegal forfeited the match.
CAF later overturned the decision, awarding Morocco a 3-0 victory and the continental title.
Senegal has aggressively protested the judgment and filed a lawsuit with CAS, the sport’s top arbitration organization, in an attempt to get the original outcome reinstated and the championship returned.
Matthieu Reeb, CAS director general, in a statement on Wednesday, acknowledged the urgency of the case, saying, “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.”
CAS also indicated that there is currently no specific deadline for a ruling.
Former CAF disciplinary panel head Raymond Hack warned the process might be protracted, telling BBC World Service that it “could take another six months to conclude,” raising the risk that the case will coincide with key forthcoming international competitions.
For the time being, Morocco remains the official champions, but the fate of the disputed final will be determined by CAS’s decision.
