Guinea – Tanzania : Sports Lawyer Weighs In – Who’s Right in This Controversy?

Guinea has initiated a legal dispute against Tanzania in a bid to secure a qualification spot for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025).

After losing on the pitch to the Kilimanjaro Stars, the Syli National filed an official complaint with the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Their claim focuses on the alleged ineligibility of Tanzanian player Muhamed Ibrahim Ame, who reportedly wore jersey number 26 during the match instead of the officially registered number 24.

Legal Expertise Called Upon

To shed light on the implications of this claim, Foot Africa consulted Mohamed Touati, a Tunisian lawyer specializing in sports law. Touati provided an expert analysis on Guinea’s chances of success and the potential repercussions if their appeal is upheld.

The outcome of this legal dispute could impact not only AFCON 2025 qualifications but also the enforcement of CAF’s regulations in similar cases.

Lawyer’s Verdict: Tanzania Holds the Advantage

According to Mohamed Touati, Guinea’s case against CAF is unlikely to succeed. He argues that the error regarding the player’s jersey number does not constitute a serious administrative violation.

“I don’t believe the issue with the jersey number qualifies as a severe administrative fault, especially since FIFA advises continental federations to consider whether such errors significantly influence the match’s outcome,” Touati explained.

In this instance, Touati highlighted that the player in question neither scored a goal nor received a yellow card, making it difficult to argue that his involvement affected the match’s result.

The Referee’s Responsibility

Touati further emphasized that responsibility lies with the referee.

“The referee is solely accountable for the match sheet and any related errors. Before kickoff, it is the referee’s duty to verify player licenses, identities, and jersey numbers. Any anomalies discovered later fall under their responsibility,” he stated.

As such, Touati concluded that Tanzania cannot be held liable for a severe administrative error, meaning the match result should remain unchanged.

This legal perspective could influence CAF’s ruling and bolster Tanzania’s position in the dispute.