Former CAF Disciplinary Board Chairman Raymond Hack has expressed confidence that Senegalwill prevail at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after being stripped of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title.

The controversial ruling by CAF’s Appeals Board followed an appeal by Morocco, citing a breach of tournament rules after Senegal’s 17-minute walk-off during the final, despite Pape Gueye’s extra-time goal giving Senegal the initial victory.

The Senegalese Football Federation described CAF’s decision as “unfair, unprecedented and unacceptable” and confirmed plans to contest the ruling at CAS.

Hack, speaking in an interview with sports journalist Robert Marawa, said: “If I was dealing with it [at CAS], my decision will be very clear. The referee is the only person who can bring a game to an end. He brought the game to an end at the end of extra time, and the winner was Senegal. [So Senegal remain champions] yes.”

CAF President Patrice Motsepe meanwhile stated that the organization will respect and abide by the outcome of the legal process, signaling that the decision will now be determined through the official judicial channels.

The CAS appeal is expected to reignite debate over disciplinary procedures and governance in African football, with football fans across the continent closely monitoring the outcome.