GENEVA (AP) — Senegal’s complaint is Returning as African Cup of Nations champions The judgment was entered by sport’s highest court on Wednesday, but the court did not set a timetable for the expected lengthy process to reach a verdict in the heated soccer dispute.
The Senegalese Football Federation is contesting last week’s surprise decision by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to strip them of their title. won in a chaotic final match The award was won on the field in January and was awarded to host country Morocco.
Appeals to the Swiss Court of Arbitration for Sport The Senegalese government made the promise last week.He also called for an international investigation into “allegations of corruption” in African football.
CAS said in a statement that the Senegalese federation is also seeking additional time to file its appeal brief, as CAF has not yet provided detailed reasons in writing explaining the verdict.
“At this early stage of the proceedings, taking into account (the Senegalese federation’s) request to suspend the deadline, it is impossible to predict the timeline of the proceedings or indicate when the hearing will be scheduled,” the court said.
CAF’s appeals panel stripped Senegal of the title two months after the final in Rabat, as punishment for a player who was sent off for protesting during a 15-minute stoppage after Morocco had been awarded a title-clinching penalty with the final kick.
After the Senegalese team returned, the referee finally restarted play, Morocco’s penalty was saved, and the match went into extra time. Senegal scored the only goal in extra time, defeating the hosts 1-0.
soccer rules state the referee’s decision The play on the field is final.
However, CAF judges cited competition rules that state that teams that refuse to participate will be “permanently excluded from the current competition.”
Last week’s ruling on Morocco’s appeal was CAF disciplinary decision from January It fueled the perception that the country, which is co-hosting the 2030 World Cup, is gaining influence in international soccer politics.
CAF South Africa President Patrice Motsepe claimed last week “No African country will be treated favorably or favorably over any other country.”
Appeals to CAS typically take months to schedule a hearing and then additional weeks or months to announce a verdict.
CAS Secretary-General Mathieu Lieb said in a statement: “We understand that teams and fans want to know the final decision,” adding: “We will work to ensure that the arbitration process is carried out as quickly as possible, while respecting the right of all parties to a fair hearing.”
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