CAS Overturns CAF Ban: JS Kabylie Cleared for Champions League Participation
JS Kabylie has officially won its appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which has annulled the Confederation of African Football (CAF)’s decision to exclude the Algerian club from interclub competitions in 2015 and 2016.
The ban had been imposed following the tragic death of Cameroonian striker Albert Ebossé, who was fatally struck by a projectile at the end of a home match in August 2014. However, CAS ruled that CAF’s disciplinary action violated procedural fairness, notably highlighting that JS Kabylie was neither heard nor even informed of the ongoing proceedings before the sanction was imposed.
“The sanctions imposed by CAF are not in accordance with the regulations,” stated the CAS in its verdict. “The decision was taken without the club’s representatives being heard or even informed of the ongoing proceedings.”
As a result, JS Kabylie is reinstated “with immediate effect” and is eligible to participate in the CAF Champions League this season.
Complication Ahead: Two Algerian Clubs for One Spot?
A new dilemma emerges: MC El Eulma, who had been nominated by the Algerian Football Federation to replace JS Kabylie, is already scheduled to face Saint George of Ethiopia in the preliminary round of the Champions League.
CAF now faces a logistical and regulatory puzzle—will both Algerian clubs be allowed to compete, or will MC El Eulma be withdrawn to make room for JS Kabylie?
