Senegal has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to overturn the decision stripping them of the Africa Cup of Nations title.

SENEGAL has formally appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) over the decision to strip them of the Africa Cup of Nations title and award it to Morocco.

The Swiss-based tribunal confirmed receipt of the appeal from the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) against the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation.

Senegal seeks to overturn CAF’s ruling that they forfeited the final by walking off the pitch in protest. The governing body upheld a Moroccan appeal, converting Senegal’s 1-0 extra-time win into a 3-0 defeat and declaring Morocco champions.

The flashpoint occurred when a hotly contested penalty was awarded to Morocco in injury time of the goalless final on January 18. Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala made the call following a VAR check for a challenge on Brahim Diaz.

Senegal’s players halted the game for nearly 20 minutes in protest, with some supporters attempting a pitch invasion. After being coaxed back, Diaz’s penalty was saved and Pape Gueye scored the winning goal in extra-time.

CAS Director General Matthieu Reeb stated the tribunal would ensure proceedings are conducted swiftly while respecting all parties’ right to a fair hearing. The appeal seeks to set aside the CAF decision and declare Senegal the winners.

The Moroccan Federation stated its appeal was solely to request the application of competition regulations, not to contest Senegal’s sporting performance. CAF president Patrice Motsepe said the body would respect CAS’s final decision.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who attended the match, had condemned the actions of some Senegal players as “unacceptable scenes”. Both nations are now preparing for the upcoming World Cup with friendly matches this week.

 The Sun Malaysia