The Confederation of African Football could soon find itself in the middle of a new legal battle at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, while already managing a particularly sensitive case related to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final between Senegal and Morocco. This accumulation of issues risks further damaging the image of the governing body of African football, which has been under pressure in recent months.
The new controversy stems from the quarter-final of the African Champions League between Renaissance Sportive de Berkane and Al-Hilal Omdurman. The Sudanese club is firmly contesting the participation of defender Hamza El Moussaoui in this crucial match. According to their management, the Moroccan player was under a 30-day suspension after testing positive for a glucocorticoid, a substance banned under anti-doping regulations.
However, in a twist deemed troubling by Al-Hilal, this suspension was lifted on the very day of the match, allowing the player to be included in the matchday squad and participate in the game. This decision raises many questions, particularly regarding the transparency of the procedures and adherence to existing rules. The Omdurman club believes that this lifting of the suspension, which occurred under unclear circumstances, constitutes a major irregularity that could have influenced the outcome of the match.
In light of this situation, Al-Hilal’s officials are now considering taking the matter to the CAS to seek redress. The club is demanding severe sanctions against Berkane, which could lead to a loss by forfeit. Such a decision would have significant implications for the competition, as the Moroccan club is currently set to face AS FAR Rabat in the semi-finals.
If the case were to be examined at the international level, CAF would have to defend yet another delicate matter, alongside the one related to the 2025 AFCON. The outcome of this dispute could not only reshape the sporting landscape but also raise serious questions about governance, transparency, and the credibility of the continental body.
