CAF CONTROVERSIES LINGER AS CAS SET TO RULE ON CONTROVERSIAL CHAMPIONS LEAGUE REPLAY

The Court of Arbitrations for Sports (CAS) announced that they will rule on the appeals filed by Tunisian Esperance and Moroccan side Wydad Athletic against the Confederation of African Football Confederation (CAF) on 31 July.

“In its appeal, Wydad Athletic Club is mainly requesting the decision be set aside and, consequently, be declared the winner of the 2018/2019 CAF Champions League and receive the prize money allocated for the winner,” read a statement released by CAS on Monday.

“Esperance Sportive de Tunis, in its appeals, is challenging the decision and demanding it be considered null and void, and, consequently, be declared the winner of the 2018-2019 CAF Champions League, to keep the trophy and medals awarded on 31 May 2019, and to order CAF to pay the prize money attributed to the winner,” the statement added.

“The clubs and the CAF have prepared and agreed upon a procedural timetable for the CAS arbitration, with a final decision to be issued, at the latest, on 31 July 2019,”

Esperance were initially handed the title after Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca walked off an hour into the return match in Tunis because VAR was unavailable to judge a disallowed equaliser.

Champions League title holders Esperance were leading 1-0 in the second leg and 2-1 overall when the play was halted, and after a 90-minute delay the referee awarded the match to the home side.

CAF ordered last month the abandoned second leg of the CAF Champions League final between Esperance and Wydad Casablanca to be replayed at a neutral venue after this month’s Cup of Nations.

– AhramOnlineSports