The long-running dispute involving the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF), the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) is set to take a significant step forward next month after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) confirmed a hearing date for the appeal.
According to a press release issued by CAS on Wednesday, the hearing will take place on 8 October 2026 at the organisation's headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.
The appeal was lodged by the FSF against CAF and the FRMF, with the matter now set to be heard by a three-member arbitration panel.
CAS confirmed that the hearing will be conducted behind closed doors after all parties agreed not to request a public hearing.
"The hearing will be in person at CAS headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland. The hearing date was fixed after consultation with the Parties, who did not request that it be made public. This means it will take place behind closed doors, without media present," CAS said in its operational note.
Proceedings are scheduled to begin at 9:30am local time and are expected to conclude later in the afternoon, after which the panel will begin deliberating on the case.
However, CAS stressed that no verdict will be delivered on the day of the hearing.
"After the hearing, the Panel will start its deliberations. At this stage, CAS cannot state when a final decision will be rendered but it will not be on the day of the hearing."
Representatives from both the FSF and FRMF are expected to attend the hearing in person in Lausanne, while CAF will be represented by its legal team.
The arbitration panel appointed to hear the case consists of:
Professor Gérald Simon (France) - President of the Panel
Professor Luigi Fumagalli (Italy)
Professor Dr. Ulrich Haas (Germany)
CAS also confirmed that all proceedings will be conducted in French, following an agreement between the parties.