Senegal-Morocco row reaches Nairobi summit as CAS case rumbles on | OneFootball

The dispute over the Senegal-Morocco Africa Cup of Nations final resurfaced at the Africa-France summit in Nairobi, while the case continues at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

According to L'Équipe, Patrice Motsepe looked on as Senegal’s president Bassirou Diomaye Faye celebrated a special 2026 during the sport and development session with Emmanuel Macron, William Suto and Duma Boko, prompting loud applause.

The title is unresolved. Senegal won 1-0 in Rabat on 18 January, then CAF’s appeals body overturned it on 17 March and awarded Morocco a 3-0 forfeit. Senegal have appealed to CAS against CAF and the FRMF, with both sides’ submissions now in Lausanne.

France had sought a Moroccan sports representative, though the kingdom sent prime minister Aziz Akhannouch to Nairobi. The row scarcely featured in talks, with Eléonore Caroit reporting no tensions and Jean-Noël Barrot saying it arises bilaterally rather than in plenary.

A Frenchman, brother of a Senegal staffer, served three months in Rabat and was released on 18 April. Three of 18 Senegalese fans also finished three-month terms and returned on 7 May after a pilgrimage near Fès. Fifteen remain jailed on longer sentences, with a pardon request pending.

IFAB approved the Pape Thiaw rule at FIFA’s Vancouver congress in April. It will apply at the next World Cup, 11 June to 19 July. Referees can dismiss players who leave the pitch or staff who incite it, after Senegal’s protest over a late Morocco penalty that Brahim Diaz missed.

Source: L'Équipe