Guinea FA rules out CAS appeal over 1976 AFCON result

The Guinean Football Federation has confirmed it will not pursue any legal action over the 1976 Africa Cup of Nations, dismissing speculation about a possible appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

In a statement issued to address growing rumours, the federation said it had not initiated any proceedings either with CAS or the Confederation of African Football regarding the outcome of the tournament, which was won by Morocco.

The clarification follows renewed debate linked to discussions around the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, during which some claims resurfaced about the decisive match between Guinea and Morocco in 1976.

Reports circulating, particularly on social media, alleged that Moroccan players had withdrawn during the encounter — a version of events that has been strongly challenged.

Former Guinea international Ismaël Sylla, who played in the match, rejected those claims, insisting no such incident took place.

Seeking to address the growing speculation, the federation moved to restate its position publicly.

“The Guinean Football Federation (FGF) wishes to inform the national and international public that it has not initiated any proceedings with either the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) or the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in connection with the 1976 Africa Cup of Nations.

In recent days, information circulating on various media outlets, particularly social networks, has falsely suggested that Guinea has taken steps to contest the result of the match between the Syli National and Morocco during this competition.

The Guinean Football Federation wishes to clarify, in a spirit of responsibility and reconciliation, that this information is inaccurate and has no official basis.”

The governing body also reiterated that the competition had followed the rules in place at the time, noting that Morocco topped the final group stage format used in that edition to secure the title.

By issuing the statement, the federation aims to bring an end to the discussion and ease tensions stirred by the claims. The move underlines its intention to close the matter rather than reopen a decades-old result.