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Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe says the decision to strip Senegal from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title, was made by an independent CAF Appeals Board. Senegal, who won the match in Rabat 1-0, had walked off for 14 minutes from the end of regulation time, in protest of the hosts being awarded a penalty.
They returned to the field later and won the match in extra time. While Morocco’s initial protest had been rejected by CAF’s Disciplinary Board, the governing body’s Appeal Board found Senegal had transgressed tournament regulations by staging a walk-off and handed Morocco the title.
Motsepe said CAF was committed to fair play and says the decisions by the organisation’s judicial bodies should be respected. However, he added Senegal has every right to appeal the ruling, even with the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland.
Motsepe says CAF remains plagued by trust issues and questions over its integrity.
“It is important that the decisions of our disciplinary boards, the CAF Disciplinary Board and the decision of the CAF Appeals Board is viewed with the respect and integrity, that’s very important to us. So, if you look at the composition of those bodies, they reflect some of the most respected lawyers and judges on the continent.”
VIDEO | Former Chairperson of the CAF Disciplinary Board, Raymond Hack, has bemoaned the appeals board’s decision:
Motsepe also expressed his disappointment with what happened during the final, a match that descended into chaos.
“I previously expressed my extreme disappointment with the incidences that took place at the final match. And the important thing of what happened in that final match is, it undermines the good work that CAF has done over many, many years to ensure that there’s integrity, that there’s respect, that there’s ethics, that there’s governance, as well as the credibility of the results of our football matches.”
While Morocco’s initial protest had been rejected by CAF’s Disciplinary Board, the same governing body’s Appeal Board found Senegal had transgressed tournament regulations by staging a walk-off and handed Morocco the title.
Motsepe, who was elected as CAF president in 2021 and re-elected one year ago, said CAF was committed to fair play and denied there was any preferential treatment amid perceptions that Morocco have too much sway over the African game.
“I’m told that Senegal is going to appeal, which is very important. Every one of the 54 nations in Africa have a right to pursue appeals and we will adhere and respect the decision, that’s taken at the highest level.”
Hours after being stripped of the AFCON title, Senegal confirmed they will appeal the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland.
www.sabcnews.com, https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/caf-appeals-board-decisions-must-be-respected-motsepe/
