The saga surrounding the CAN 2025 final continues to unfold. After the CAF controversially awarded the African title to Morocco on a technicality two months post-match, Senegal has taken the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Now, a pivotal figure in the appeal jury has come forward with explosive revelations.

In a candid interview, the vice-president of the appeals commission openly challenged the CAF’s sanctioned decision. « I strongly disagree with the ruling », declared Faustino Varela Monteiro, disclosing that he was the sole dissenting voice against the verdict that dealt a harsh blow to the Teranga Lions.

« I cannot endorse the interpretation that led to this outcome », he continued. « When the referee allows a match to proceed to its conclusion, it implies no abandonment occurred. Therefore, any disciplinary body that rules otherwise contradicts the essence of sportsmanship. »

Internal dissent over CAF’s controversial call

« Furthermore, if match outcomes can be retroactively altered, the very concept of a final decision becomes meaningless », he argued. He emphasized that « the CAS will not reconsider a field decision unless clear evidence of arbitrariness or bad faith is presented. »

The backdrop to this dispute stems from the January 18 match in Rabat, where Senegal clinched victory in extra time thanks to a Pape Gueye strike (1-0). The game was halted for nearly fifteen minutes after Thiaw’s players protested a stoppage-time penalty awarded to Morocco—one that Brahim Diaz ultimately missed.