Wydad Takes Champions League Controversy to CAS After CAF Orders Replay
The drama surrounding last season’s CAF Champions League final shows no signs of ending. Following CAF’s decision to order a replay of the highly controversial second leg, Espérance de Tunis has indicated its intent to pursue legal action to defend its title. Now, Wydad Casablanca (WAC) has escalated the matter further, announcing its decision to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), insisting that the trophy was rightfully theirs.
The saga stems from the second leg of the final, which was abruptly halted in the 60th minute after a VAR malfunction. Wydad players protested what they considered a controversial goal, arguing that the incident unfairly influenced the outcome. In the absence of a functional VAR, the referee had no option but to allow the goal to stand, and Espérance de Tunis was declared Champions League winners.
CAF’s ruling to postpone the remainder of the match and replay it at a later date was meant to rectify the situation. While some expected this decision to satisfy Wydad, the Casablanca club remains unsatisfied. On the Moroccan sports channel Arryadia, WAC president Said Naciri stated that his club believes CAF should have recognized a victory by default, rather than ordering a replay. According to Naciri, Wydad’s grievances go beyond the procedural mishaps, as the team maintains that the circumstances of the second leg deprived them of a legitimate championship.
With Wydad now taking their case to CAS, the matter has entered a new, highly formal stage. The Court of Arbitration for Sport is the highest authority in sports disputes, and its decisions are binding. This move demonstrates the seriousness with which WAC is pursuing the case, emphasizing that the club considers its rights as champions non-negotiable.
For Espérance de Tunis, this development adds another layer of complexity. The Tunisian side, which has already indicated plans to pursue legal remedies, now faces a dual-front challenge, with both CAF and CAS processes potentially impacting the official outcome. The situation underscores the intense rivalry between the two North African giants, whose clashes in recent years have already been marked by controversy and tension.
The VAR malfunction and the handling of the second leg have prompted widespread debate across the continent. Fans, pundits, and football authorities continue to question whether CAF’s initial response was sufficient or whether Wydad’s demand for a default victory holds merit. As the case moves to CAS, all eyes will be on the arbitration process to determine if justice can finally be delivered and whether the rightful champion will be officially recognized.
Until CAS delivers its ruling, the 2019 CAF Champions League trophy remains in limbo, leaving a cloud of uncertainty over one of African club football’s most prestigious competitions. For Wydad Casablanca, Espérance de Tunis, and their supporters, the resolution of this saga is eagerly awaited—but the path to closure may still be long and complicated.
— John Attisso
