Court of Arbitration for Sport rejects Hafia appeal in AS Douanes dispute

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAS) has rejected Hafia FC’s appeal against AS Douanes of Mauritania, confirming the club’s progress in the CAF Confederation Cup while attention remains focused on the unresolved Africa Cup of Nations final dispute between Senegal and Morocco.

The ruling upholds the decision made on 14 September by the CAF organising committee for interclub competitions. That decision accepted AS Douanes’ claim of force majeure after the Mauritanian side failed to appear for the second leg of its first-round preliminary tie against Hafia in Conakry.

The teams had drawn 2-2 in Nouakchott and were scheduled to meet in Guinea on 11 September. AS Douanes did not travel for the match, despite match officials being present and the technical meeting having taken place.

Hafia requested a walkover victory, but CAF accepted the explanation provided by the Mauritanian club and ordered the fixture to be replayed. The rearranged match was held on 19 September, with AS Douanes winning 1-0 to secure a 3-2 aggregate victory.

Hafia subsequently referred the matter to the TAS on 8 October, arguing that it had been unfairly disadvantaged. The court initially ordered the next round to be postponed without prejudging its final ruling.

According to a statement issued by AS Douanes, the Guinean club’s appeal has now been dismissed and the Mauritanian side’s qualification confirmed.

The decision affects CR Belouizdad, who will face AS Douanes in the second and final preliminary round. The Algerian club had already travelled to Nouakchott in October before being informed, on the eve of the match, that the two-legged tie had been suspended.

The players and coaching staff returned to Algiers without playing. They must now arrange another journey to Mauritania as they attempt to reach the group stage.

CAF has yet to announce new dates for the two matches. The delay has disrupted CR Belouizdad’s preparations, with the club now set to play its preliminary-round tie several weeks later than originally scheduled.

Senegal-Morocco final still unresolved

The TAS is also considering an appeal that could determine the identity of the 2025 African champions. The appeal by the Senegalese Football Federation was registered on 25 March, while the hearing took place behind closed doors on 8 October.

Senegal is challenging a decision by the CAF appeal jury, which changed Senegal’s 1-0 victory after extra time in the final into a 3-0 forfeit win for Morocco.

The dispute centres on a temporary walk-off by the Lions of Teranga, who left the pitch to protest against a penalty awarded to Morocco.

The TAS verdict is expected at the end of November. It will bring an end to the dispute surrounding the final, which was played in Rabat on 18 January, and confirm the winner of the Africa Cup of Nations 2025.