CAFCL Final: CAS Decides On Esperance, Wydad Clash

CAFCL Final: CAS Decides On Esperance, Wydad Clash

By Editor

The Court for Arbitration of Sports (CAS) is set to release its verdict on the controversial 2019 Champions League final between Moroccan side, Wydad Casablanca and Esperance of Tunisia which ended abruptly and the title awarded to Esperance.

Wydad protested during the course of the game following a controversial decision from Gambian referee Carrie Jasama which led to their withdrawal from the game.

The Moroccan club abandoned the match in the 55th minute owing to Walid El Karti’s disallowed goal and subsequent VAR controversy.

Wydad called for video replays but the technology was unavailable, and they refused to restart play for nearly 120 minutes, forcing Gambian official Bakary Gassama to end the game.

CAF awarded the title to Esperance as a result but the Moroccan officials took the matter to FIFA and the Africa Union.

According to a report by a Morrocan newspaper, "HaSport", CAF president Ahmad Ahmad had testified that they were threatened by the Tunisian Esperance officials to award the title to them and exclude Wydad for not completing the match or else chaos could break out at the stadium by the fans present.

CAF first Vice President and Congolese FA president Constant Omari also seconded the views of President Ahmad Ahmad at the hearing.

CAS sat on the case in May to hear both parties, and the verdict is expected to be released on September 2.