The Guinean Football Federation (FEGUIFOOT) has announced it will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) following the rejection of its initial appeal by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) concerning a disciplinary ruling related to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Tanzania.
The match in question, played on 19 November 2024, resulted in sanctions from CAF which FEGUIFOOT contested before the organisation’s Appeals Jury. However, the Appeals Jury dismissed the federation’s challenge.
In response, FEGUIFOOT confirmed on Tuesday that while it acknowledges the final decision, it strongly disagrees with the manner in which the process was handled and is pursuing further legal action through CAS.
In a formal statement, the federation emphasised that it has yet to receive a complete and detailed explanation for the Appeals Jury’s ruling. It has therefore requested that CAF provide the full case file, including the legal reasoning underpinning the rejection, to enable a thorough review of the verdict and to prepare its submission to CAS.
FEGUIFOOT has raised serious concerns over what it describes as significant procedural irregularities in the appeal proceedings conducted by CAF.
These include, according to the federation, limited access to the full documentation of the case, the inability to request the inclusion of key evidence, and exclusion from vital deliberations—actions it claims undermined its right to a fair defence.
“The way in which our appeal was treated has raised major legal concerns,” a FEGUIFOOT spokesperson said. “These irregularities directly affected the impartial assessment of the facts and violated our fundamental rights as a federation. We believe that the CAS, as an independent and respected body, will ensure that justice is done.”
The federation insists it remains committed to defending the interests of Guinean football through proper legal channels, stating that its actions are based on principles of fairness, transparency, and the integrity of competition.
As it prepares to bring the matter before CAS, FEGUIFOOT has reiterated its gratitude to national authorities for their continued support, in particular the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and expressed appreciation to Guinean fans for their solidarity during what it described as a “challenging moment” for the nation’s footballing community.
“The unity of our people and the unwavering support of our institutions give us strength,” the statement read. “We will continue to stand firm in our mission to represent Guinea with dignity, while upholding the values of justice and respect for international sporting standards.”
The dispute has attracted significant attention within Guinea, particularly given the country’s high hopes for qualification to the 2025 AFCON tournament.
The outcome of the appeal to CAS could have broader implications not only for Guinea’s campaign but also for perceptions of procedural fairness within African football’s governing structures.
FEGUIFOOT has not disclosed a specific timeline for the appeal submission but confirmed that preparations are already underway. The federation remains hopeful that CAS will provide an impartial review and potentially reverse the disciplinary measures imposed by CAF.
