CAS likely rule in Senegal’s favour in AFCON final appeal – Former CAF Disciplinary Board Chairman Raymond Hack

Former CAF Disciplinary Board chairman Raymond Hack has backed Senegal to overturn the decision to strip them of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title when the case reaches the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced on Tuesday night that its Appeal Board had nullified Senegal’s 1-0 victory over Morocco in the January final, citing a breach of competition rules after the West Africans staged a walk-off in protest against refereeing decisions.

The match had been briefly halted when Senegal players left the pitch, before captain Sadio Mané persuaded his teammates to return.

Play resumed, and Senegal went on to secure victory in extra time through a decisive strike from Pape Gueye.

In response to CAF’s ruling, the Senegalese Football Federation has launched an appeal to CAS, describing the decision as “unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable.”

Hack, speaking in an interview with Robert Marawa, insisted the on-field outcome should stand.

“If I were dealing with it [at CAS], my decision would be very clear,” Hack said in an interview with Sports Journalist Robert Marawa.

“The referee is the only person who can bring a game to an end. He brought the game to an end at the end of the extra time, and the winner was Senegal.

[So Senegal remains champions] yes,” the veteran administrator, who was previously South African Football Association (SAFA) CEO and a FIFA Disciplinary Committee member, added.

CAF president Patrice Motsepe has meanwhile indicated that the continental body will respect whatever verdict emerges from the CAS proceedings, as the dispute heads for a decisive legal showdown.